I’ve noticed a trend recently, with my friends, strangers on social media, and even myself, where nobody knows where to draw the line in romantic relationships anymore. It can be surprisingly easy to excuse behaviors we would not usually tolerate simply because starting over feels more frightening. But at what point do we lose ourselves just to keep someone else? And how do we break that cycle?
One of the most important things we can do is take a step back from our current situation. Think about patterns you have noticed throughout your relationship and ask yourself whether you would be comfortable watching a friend experience the same thing. It is also important to remember that these issues do not always have to involve negative behavior. Sometimes, two people are simply not as compatible as they once were.
Another way people can begin to lose themselves is by changing who they are to impress their partner. I think this has a lot to do with fast-changing beauty standards and clothing trends. Of course, being with someone may introduce you to new tastes and interests, but there is a difference between growing with someone and forcing yourself to fit their standards.
Even deeper than that, boundaries and expectations should not change just for the sake of keeping a romantic partner. The things you need from a relationship should not go away because you are afraid of losing them. If they repeatedly do something that bothers you, especially after you have communicated your feelings, it may be worth reevaluating the relationship.
Change is terrifying, especially when someone has become intertwined with your everyday life. But comfort is not always the same thing as happiness.
Sometimes change is exactly what allows us to reach our full potential.
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