Love shouldn’t feel like a constant battle. If your partner makes you question your sanity, dismisses your feelings, or thinks their time is more valuable than yours, it’s time for a serious reality check. You deserve a partner who lifts you up, not drags you down. These disrespectful behaviors that are totally unacceptable – learn them and either call your other half out or kick them to the curb.
1. Dismissing your feelings
Being accused of “overreacting” or told that a situation you’re upset about is “no big deal” is incredibly dismissive. It shows that your concerns don’t matter to your partner, and that really sucks. Why are you even in this relationship if that’s the case? Having your feelings invalidated makes you question your own judgment and can discourage you from opening up in the future.
2. Interrupting
Constantly cutting you off or talking over you shows they clearly don’t care about anything you have to say and think their thoughts/opinions/problems are the be all, end all. Healthy relationships involve respectful turn-taking in conversations. This constantly being talked over makes you feel like your thoughts and opinions don’t deserve equal voice in the partnership.
3. Always being late
Chronic lateness isn’t quirky, it’s disrespectful of your time. Unless there’s a genuine emergency, it makes you feel like they think their schedule is more important than yours. As if you have time to stand around waiting for them all day! If you’re a priority to them, they’ll leave early to make sure they can show up on time.
4. Selective listening
They tune in and out of conversations at will, making you repeat yourself (or feeling like you might as well not bother). True connection requires being fully present, not half-heartedly listening until something really piques your interest. Their complete lack of care in this regard makes you question whether your thoughts or concerns truly matter to your partner.
5. Weaponizing your insecurities
Jabs about your appearance, intelligence, or vulnerabilities, especially during arguments, are emotional abuse. A loving partner builds you up, not tears you down. Hitting below the belt like this demolishes your confidence and trust in the person who’s supposed to be your biggest supporter.
6. Stonewalling
Giving the silent treatment, refusing to address issues, or walking away in the middle of an argument or serious conversation is incredibly manipulative. Healthy couples work through differences instead of shutting down communication altogether when there’s a problem. Stonewalling breeds resentment and prevents your issues from being resolved in a healthy way.
7. Making “jokes” that really hurt
Disguising insults or criticism as humor is a cowardly way to chip away at your self-esteem. If their “banter” regularly leaves you feeling bad, that’s not innocent teasing. These thinly veiled criticisms can leave you feeling insecure and unsure of where you stand with your partner. (Spoiler alert: You probably shouldn’t be standing with them!)
8. Playing the blame game
They refuse to take responsibility for the things they do wrong, twisting everything to make it your fault. It’s impossible to grow as a couple when one partner is incapable of self-reflection. This constant blame-shifting keeps you from ever finding any kind of meaningful resolution and leaves you feeling frustrated and unheard.
9. Comparing You to Other People
Comparing you to their ex, friends, or family is designed to make you feel inadequate. A loving partner celebrates your unique qualities, not holds you up to impossible standards. This behavior fosters insecurity and makes you feel as though you’re in constant competition, rather than appreciated for who you are.
10. Eye-rolling and sarcasm
Constant eye-rolling, sighs, and biting sarcasm belittles your thoughts and feelings. Dismissive nonverbal behavior is just as disrespectful as outright insults. It creates a hostile atmosphere where you feel uncomfortable sharing your true self for fear of judgment or ridicule. Who wants to live like that?
11. Not giving any emotional support
They’re a fair-weather partner – there when it’s fun, but absent when you need understanding or a shoulder to lean on. True intimacy involves supporting each other through good times and bad. Feeling isolated and alone during your struggles creates distance and makes it difficult to rely on your partner for the things that truly matter.
12. Breaking promises
Whether big or small, consistently breaking promises makes you feel like you just can’t trust or rely on them. It shows that their word doesn’t mean much, and that they don’t think you’re very important. When you can’t count on your partner to follow through, it creates a sense of instability and breeds resentment within the relationship.
13. Flirting with other people
Disrespectful flirting or seeking attention outside the relationship is hurtful and humiliating. It creates insecurity and makes you question their commitment to you for pretty obvious reasons. Not only that, but this type of behavior shatters your sense of security in the relationship, making you feel jealous and paranoid that they might cheat on you at any moment (if they haven’t done it already).
14. Criticizing you in public
Calling you out or belittling you in front of friends or family is incredibly disrespectful. A good partner would never intentionally embarrass you or damage your reputation. Public humiliation really hurts and makes you wary of social situations, leaving you feeling like you have to censor yourself to avoid further criticism from your own partner.
15. Not saying “thank you”
Taking your efforts for granted, whether it’s chores or emotional labor, becomes demoralizing. Appreciation is non-negotiable for a healthy relationship, and when you don’t get it, it makes you feel unvalued. If your contributions go unnoticed and unappreciated, you start to question your role in the relationship and feel like you’re being used rather than cherished.
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