Relationships will always require some level of compromise, but that doesn’t mean you should give, give, give to your partner and end up depleted. Similarly, you should never give up certain important things for your partner, because this will make your life less enriching and will cause you to be unhappy — that’s a no-no. So, here are 10 things you should never sacrifice for a partner, even if you love them. Seriously, don’t do it!
1. Your Friends
It doesn’t really matter if your partner doesn’t like your friends, or vice versa. Sure, it can make things difficult, but it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker – not for your relationship or your friendships! If your partner says that you need to choose between them and your friends, they’ve made the decision easy for you. It’s time to kick them out of your life.
2. Your Dreams
No one is worth your dreams. If your partner expects you to throw your passions and dreams aside, they’re not thinking about what you need to be happy. They’re honestly not thinking of you at all. Yes, your dreams might cause you to be pulled away from your partner, like if they take you to a different country, but your partner should be supportive of them. It’s your life.
3. Your Health
You might lose sleep because your partner expects you to be there for them whenever they text. Or, maybe you’re drained because dealing with them is difficult (toxic much?). You’re compromising your health, whether physical, mental, or emotional, without even realizing it! Your partner should respect your boundaries and needs. If you’re not feeling and performing at your best, your relationship needs some changes.
4. Your Independence
Having a bit of time to yourself is a must, so make sure you partner up with someone who cares about your life outside of the relationship. You should never give up your independence, whether that includes your financial independence, your physical independence (such as if you love to travel), or your emotional independence (like the bonds you build with others).
5. Your Time Away From Them
You shouldn’t be with someone who wants to be with you all the time. Although it can be fun in the early stages of your relationship, it becomes a problem as time goes on. Do you really need to see them every single day after work, and on weekends? It’s a bit much. Come on, you can’t be attached to your partner. You need some alone time to do your own thing, engage in self-care, and process your feelings.
6. Your Feelings
You shouldn’t ignore your feelings just to keep your partner happy. That’s the worst thing you should do! They should validate what you’re going through, instead of brushing off what you feel. If they do this, their behavior could cause you to shut down and stifle your emotions, which doesn’t make you or your relationship healthy. Don’t try to please or appease them at the cost of your well-being.
7. Your Self-Confidence
Being with someone who chips away at your confidence is not a good person – they’re toxic and shouldn’t be in your heart or life. You might not notice that someone’s making you sacrifice your self-confidence, but here are some signs: they belittle you and criticize you to make you doubt yourself or feel bad about who you are. Ask yourself how you really feel about yourself right now. If the relationship’s made your confidence drop, even a little, it’s not serving you.
8. Your Values
What are your values? Maybe you value honesty, but your partner clearly doesn’t because they always lie to you. Maybe you value kindness, but you’re feeling like it’s all going to your partner and there’s none to spare. Check how the relationship either allows you to live your important values, or how it causes you to change. Listen, you should bloom in a relationship if it’s meant for you.
9. Your Relationship Dealbreakers
Everyone needs relationship dealbreakers, the things you won’t put up with because they go against what you need to be happy. Maybe your dealbreaker was that you wouldn’t date someone who cheats on you, but now you’re trying to push it aside to cater to a guy who’s broken your trust. You have those dealbreakers for a good reason – don’t lose sight of that just to keep someone around.
10. Your Happiness
If you’re sacrificing your happiness to stay in a relationship, you have to wonder, what’s the point? A relationship should bring joy to your life most of the time. If it doesn’t, and you’re left feeling miserable or lonely, you’re just denying yourself the best. Come on, you know you deserve better than this! So, check how many days you feel good around your partner. If it’s not even 70 percent of the time, you need to check your priorities.
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