Relationship is a partnership affair, and as long as you are not dating yourself, all hands must be on deck to make things work.
Unfortunately, in some relationships, one partner might be doing more than the other, and that’s never a good sign.
A one-sided relationship might appear to be strong on the surface because you keep trying to make it work, but deep down, it’s broken.
Here are some signs that your relationship is becoming one-sided:
9 Signs You Are in a One-Sided Relationship
1. You do most of the talking
If you are the only one initiating conversations or selecting topics to discuss in your relationship, your partner probably has less interest in the relationship than you do.
It’s not normal that you are the only one who always has something to say or wants to talk about things.
Why is it that your partner never has things to tell you?
No matter how introverted or shy they may be, in a relationship that will survive, both partners should feel equally comfortable talking to each other, not you always doing the talking.
2. You make efforts to make your partner happy, but they don’t make you happy
If you are always the one making plans and going out of your way to make sure your partner is happy, you are definitely in a one-sided relationship.
Don’t you want to be happy as well?
Are you immune to being made happy?
Why then are you the only one always making efforts to make your partner happy while they don’t lift a finger to make you happy as well?
If you are doing all the work to ensure your partner is pleased and you don’t get the same treatment, you are dating yourself.
I’m not saying you should expect the exact same measure of effort in return, but you should at least not feel like you are doing 99% of the work.
3. Your partner takes you for granted
It’s natural to want to do things for your partner, you know, little acts of kindness, making them their favorite meal, buying gifts, or even bigger things like planning surprise parties or trips.
All of these efforts stem from your love for your partner and your desire to make them happy.
But what happens when these efforts go unnoticed or unacknowledged?
Feeling unappreciated means that the things you do for your partner, whether big or small, are not acknowledged or appreciated by them.
They may not thank you for what you do or even seem to notice that you’ve done anything at all.
They may also become entitled to the things you do for them such that they feel they don’t have to thank you, or they get angry when you don’t do those things for them.
4. Your partner doesn’t reciprocate your efforts
A relationship is like a dance.
It takes two to tango, you know?
Imagine if you’re the only one making moves, taking the steps, trying to keep the rhythm going, while your dance partner stands there, waiting for you to do everything.
It would get exhausting.
That’s exactly what I mean by lack of reciprocity.
You’re in a one-sided relationship if you’re the one who’s always reaching out first, calling, texting, or planning dates.
You’re the one putting in the effort to make things happen.
But your partner?
They’re more passive, just going along with what you plan or sometimes not responding until you reach out again.
While it’s okay for this to happen occasionally (everyone has busy days, I understand), it becomes a problem when it’s a consistent pattern.
Relationships should be a two-way street, with both partners actively participating and contributing.
So, if you find yourself always being the one to initiate or make an effort, your relationship is definitely one-sided.
5. You’re the only one compromising
I believe there are some things you shouldn’t compromise on in a relationship.
Things like your values, faith, dreams, and core beliefs should remain your own.
But, when it comes to some other issues like what movie to watch, where to eat dinner, whose family to visit, or what day to hang out, it should be a compromise between both partners.
When only one of you is compromising or making concessions, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right.
You shouldn’t always be the one compromising to make your partner happy.
That’s unfair.
6. You are the one who always apologizes
You will hurt each other in a relationship; it’s inevitable, no matter how much you love each other.
The common sense thing to do when someone is wrong is to apologize for it and make up for it.
But if you find that you are always the one apologizing, even when it’s not entirely your fault, your relationship is one-sided!
Apologizing doesn’t mean that you don’t have any backbone or self-esteem.
But if your partner doesn’t bother to apologize or make it up when they are wrong, it’s a sign that they don’t value or respect you enough to admit their mistakes and try to fix the problem.
7. You feel alone in the relationship
Sometimes, it’s normal to feel like you and your partner are in different worlds.
But if that feeling increases over time, it might be a sign that you’re going through a one-sided relationship.
You might feel like your partner doesn’t understand or care about what’s important to you or that they don’t even bother trying to.
You feel like you are alone in the relationship and that you have to be the one to make all the effort.
You feel single even though you are in a relationship.
This isn’t normal.
8. You feel like your partner doesn’t have your back
You know that if you happen to be in a tough spot, your partner will not do whatever it takes to help you out.
You don’t have the same trust and security that comes with having someone’s support in times of need.
Sometimes it’s even hard for you to open up and tell them what is really going on because you know there won’t be any support coming your way.
And you know the case will be different if your partner is the one in need.
You know you will be there for them.
This is a truly one-sided situation.
9. Your partner is not as faithful/committed as you
Commitment shouldn’t be from one person; it should be mutual.
But in your case, it’s like you’re the only one who is faithful to the relationship, even though you are tempted by other options.
Your partner keeps flirting or even cheating on you, but you remain loyal and faithful.
You keep telling yourself that maybe they will change, but deep down inside, you know that isn’t true.
This is a really huge sign you are in a one-sided relationship.
How can you be faithful and loyal while your partner does their thing with other people?
They don’t care how their actions make you feel, and this is unfair.
If you can relate to these nine signs, it’s safe to say you’re dating yourself.
Because that is what it feels like to be in a one-sided relationship.
What do you do?
1. Take a step back and evaluate the relationship.
This post is a good place to start. Now you can tell the signs you are in a one-sided relationship.
2. Decide if this is a healthy relationship for you to continue with.
Can you cope with the imbalance of emotions, love, and effort?
Some people don’t care and want to stay in the relationship anyway, while others decide it’s time for a change.
3. If you choose to leave, have an honest conversation with your partner.
Be honest and open with your partner about how their actions make you feel and what you need from them in order for the relationship to work.
Tell them to step up and take responsibility for their part in the relationship.
If they are not willing or able to do so, that’s your cue!
You either get out or keep going in a one-sided relationship.
