The ‘Breakup song’ from the 2016 movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil became a raging chartbuster that continues to be the life of the parties even today. The song struck a chord with the millennial because it stood out from the crowd of the regular sad, melodramatic songs on heartbreak. This makes one ponder about how breakups – or those gut-wrenching signs a breakup is near – are being dealt with of late.
The frequency, the reasons and the coping mechanisms of a breakup may vary, but ensuing ‘pain’ remains a constant. It may not be always possible to avert a breakup. In fact, about 70% of straight unmarried couples break up within the first year of dating, says a source. But you can certainly lookout for those worrying signs and brace for that emotional storm that awaits you.
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Are There Any Signs A Breakup Is Near?
We know that not every relationship is destined for a happily-ever-after. Relationships end all the time, because of you, because of your partner, because of circumstances, or because you both want out.
The situation can get tricky if only one of you wants to end a relationship. If it’s your partner that seems to be falling out of love, you’re in for a world of pain. While you may not be able to change the course of your relationship, knowing that the end is near can help you prepare for that eventuality.
So, just keep an eye out for those red flags, especially if there is a constant deterioration in your relationship. All those unnecessary fights and bickering are often one of the first subtle signs he wants to break up.
Related Reading: Why Do Breakups Hit Guys Later?
15 Signs You Are On The Verge Of A Breakup
As soon as the novelty of your relationship wears out, you start contemplating a future together. But if your boyfriend is not ready to make a commitment, it is a clear indicator that you’re on the verge of a breakup. He may not say it out loud but it will reflect in his actions.
For instance, if you find him fumbling for words while introducing you to his family or friends, or if he avoids discussions about the future and is secretive in his ways, you have clear signs he wants to end the relationship. We received a query from a girl who was heartbroken after her boyfriend went back to his ex, read it here!
Taking each other for granted is quite common among couples, but if your partner shows utter disdain for all your romantic gestures, then you better get the hint. Making excuses for spending less time with you and constantly lying about his whereabouts are all breakup warning signs.
Even if he denies any intent to part ways when confronted, if your gut tells you something is off, do not brush it aside.
Related reading: Why does he check me out if he says he is not interested?
1. Prolonged arguments on the same topics
If your partner initiates repetitive squabbles and blows them out of proportion, it shows his lack of interest in having regular conversations with you. He may also be jumping to conclusions and putting words in your mouth to avert any healthy discussion, these fights are a result of falling out of love.
When your best efforts to make peace and avoid fights backfire, know that the underlying reason for his resentment is that he is not happy in the relationship and wants an out.
2. No endeavours towards mending fences
Fights in a relationship are nothing out of the ordinary. It won’t be an exaggeration to call them two sides of a coin. However, a complete lack of interest in kissing and making up is a red flag. When your partner does not attempt to sort out the differences or work on the issues between you two, it means that the relationship is not a priority for him.
Or that he feels that the relationship is not worth salvaging. Once you reach that place with your partner, a breakup is in your future.
Related reading: How To Respond To A Breakup Text
3. All questions regarding the future are averted
My roommate from college was in a long-term relationship and head over heels in love with the guy. They were together nearly 6 years, but for that entire duration of that relationship, he never once introduced her to his family nor contributed to plans actively. Eventually, he dumped her and married another within 6 months.
It is only natural for couples to dream about a future together, sharing personal and professional goals. When you find your partner dodge all issues related to future or commitment, it’s time you realise that the end of your relationship is near.
4. Frequent outings
Spending quality time together is a necessity for any couple. If you feel that a lion’s share of his time is being devoted to work-related outings, dinners or workout sessions, it is one of the signs he wants to end the relationship. When people are in love, the desire to spend time with their significant other comes naturally.
Related Reading: 8 Ways To Fix A Broken Relationship With Your Boyfriend
Signs He Wants To End The Relationship Because Of Another Woman
Sometimes breakup signs may be a result of the presence of another woman in your partner’s life. Here are the signs he doesn’t love you anymore and is falling for someone else:
5. Appearances begin to matter
While taking care of oneself is always aspirational, any sudden changes in appearance are one of the most obvious breakup warning signs. If your partner is suddenly overtly conscious about his looks, begins to change the way he dresses or starts hitting the gym more religiously, he wants to impress somebody and that’s one the first signs of cheating.
He may be trying to woo a colleague or a friend outside of your common circles. Besides, if he is also beginning to get more and more critical of your looks and appearance, then he undoubtedly has an eye for someone else and is constantly comparing you two.
Related Reading: How To Get Through A Breakup Alone?
6. Limited conversations
The early stages of any relationship are marked by long conversations, endless texts and calls. Over time, their frequency does begin to dwindle.
But if your boyfriend suddenly wants minimal interaction with you, drastically reduces the number of messages or calls and responds to most of your questions in monosyllables, it’s a sign that someone else may be the centre of his attention.
That only means your days together are numbered. If you’re trying to salvage such a relationship, these tips on improving communication may help.
7. Well-wishers hinting about another woman in your man’s life
When you are in love, you trust your partner blindly. But if a friend or relative points out that your partner is growing dangerously close to another woman, do not brush it aside or question their motives. It’s quite possible that they that your partner is straying but do not know how to break it to you.
Related Reading: Should You Tell A Friend About Her Husband’s Affair?
8. A familiar name pops up frequently in your conversations
My cousin was in a long-distance relationship, and as luck would have it, her best friend moved to her boyfriend’s city for a job. The trio was ecstatic at the stroke of fate in the beginning. But over the course of the next few months, her best friend started avoiding her calls and texts, and her boyfriend started mentioning her a lot.
Suddenly, she was there for all the movie outings, dinners and so on. Soon, they parted ways and her ex began dating her best friend. If your partner keeps mentioning a woman repeatedly, it’s an indicator that she is important to him. This can quickly build up into an emotional affair that can be detrimental to your relationship.
Related Reading: Worst Things That One Can Do To Deal With A Break Up
9. Your partner is happy without you
If you notice that your partner is more content and jovial when you are not around and presence kills his mood, your relationship may be on the verge of a breakup. If your presence fails to inspire a response of warmth like it used to, it is an indication his feelings are wearing out.
10. You guys are off sex
If you and your partner are not having sex like you were before, and no longer feel attracted to each other, a breakup is in your future. All the passion has faded away, and all that is left is resentment and a queasy feeling at the thought of making love. It’s a sign that he’s not into you anymore and that may be impacting the way you feel about him too.
11. Acts like a teenager
Your partner behaves like a stripling around this other woman. He eggs her on to initiate silly arguments and leaves no chance of flirting with her. If he has suddenly transported back to those days of teenage romance and is unable to shake out of it, is caught up with it, the writing is pretty much on the wall.
Related reading: 8 reasons why you keep falling for the wrong guy
12. The other woman gets invited to all the functions
Suddenly, you are out of his social calendar and this other woman is accompanying him to all the outings and social commitments, your relationship might well be done and dusted. He just hasn’t told you yet. It’s time for confrontation.
13. Comparisons with the other person
If your partner is continually praising someone else for everything that you do, inevitably, you are no more ‘the one‘ for him, it is undeniably one of the classic signs he wants to end the relationship. When your partner is being biased toward the other person whenever comparing the two of you, he has made his choice.
Related Reading: How To Break Up With Your Boyfriend?
14. Discussing personal and intimate details with the other person
There are certain topics that you discuss only with your partner. If you ever find your partner discussing these personal and confidential issues with this other person who he claims to be close to, it’s a reflection on his comfort level with them. This is a significant sign of an emotional affair, which may sound the death knell for your relationship.
15. Expressing his feelings blatantly
Your partner gets defensive and overly protective at the very mention of this other person. This sense of possessiveness shows his attachment with to them, and he is just a step away from literally accepting that he is breaking up with you.
As soon as you see these in your face signals sent out by your partner, fortify yourself with your loved ones. Healing after a breakup is a slow process, but like with everything else, this too shall pass.
