You like to think you’re a good girlfriend who gives her partner everything they could ever want. However, your relationships all tend to crash and burn in the end and you can’t figure out why. Chances are, it all comes down to making these common relationship mistakes. You may not be intentionally doing these things, but that doesn’t matter — until you change these behaviors, your partnerships will always come to an end.
- Taking your partner for granted While it’s totally reasonable to expect your partner to be there for you and to fulfill certain needs in your life, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t appreciate them for it. Whether it’s picking up dinner on the way home so you don’t have to cook after a long day at work or cleaning the house up because they know you’ve been doing it and they haven’t pitched in enough recently, that deserves recognition. Everyone likes to feel appreciated for what they do and a simple “thank you” goes a long way. Taking your partner for granted is one of the most common relationship mistakes and one of the deadliest. Don’t make it.
- Letting boundaries slip Setting boundaries in your relationship isn’t just important for self-preservation, it’s also completely healthy. We all have certain things we won’t tolerate or don’t want to be part of our lives, and there’s nothing wrong with sticking to those. The problem is that the longer you’re with someone, the easier it becomes to write off instances where your boundaries are crossed or outright ignored. This is the beginning of a long path towards resentment, unhappiness, and potentially even abuse in your relationship.
- Talking to everyone but your partner about your relationship problems Yes, we all unload to our girlfriends when we’re annoyed about something our partner has done, but if the only people you ever talk to about your issues with your boyfriend or girlfriend is your BFFs, there’s a serious problem. How do you expect to resolve issues if they’re never discussed?
- Avoiding confrontation and becoming passive-aggressive No one wants to fight, but problems don’t go away by avoiding them. Same goes for being passive-aggressive. Your partner isn’t a mind-reader and even if they do pick up on what you’re putting down with your snide remarks, they’re more likely to want to rebel against them because you’re not being straightforward. Don’t be petty – you’re an adult, so act like one and talk about issues in a mature and balanced way.
- Trying to change your partner You’ve heard this so many times before and deep down you know it’s true, but that hasn’t stopped you from trying to do it anyway. Your partner will never change for anyone but themselves. No amount of bribing, cajoling, pleading, or humiliating will ever change that. If you don’t like the person you’re with, you shouldn’t be with them anymore. They’re certainly not going to become someone else for your sake.
- Becoming codependent When your relationship is going well and you’re head over heels in love, it’s natural to want to spend every waking second by your partner’s side. This is not healthy and a serious relationship killer. One of the most common relationship mistakes people make is letting the rest of their life fall by the wayside while they make their partner the center of the universe. Don’t do it! Maintain your life outside of your relationship or soon enough, you won’t have a relationship to prioritize.
