Ever driven around a neighborhood where no matter where you head, you end up in a cul-de-sac? That is what a dead end relationship is like. No matter how many times you twist and turn, you end up stuck in the middle of nowhere.
The problem is, we are in dead end relationships and are completely unaware until we wake up one day. And then, we realize we wasted a whole lot of time and energy on something that wasn’t ever worth it.
# They don’t say I love youSaying I love you is probably one of the most exhilarating, yet terrifying, phrases that you say in a relationship. Someone makes the first move. I mean rarely, if ever, do two people say it in unison.
If you put yourself out there and made your feelings of love known and they won’t return the phrase, then there is a hang up. Either they really don’t love you, or they aren’t emotionally mature enough to tell you that they do.
Those are both signs that say “warning.” If they aren’t there yet, it might not be a matter of time. You just might have seen the sign of a dead end relationship ahead.
# They don’t care about what you doIf you put your foot down or draw a line in the sand and they couldn’t care less, then don’t think they don’t mean it.
Someone unintimidated by losing you doesn’t really care if they have you to begin with, which is a road to nowhere. If in a relationship for a time and they seemingly don’t care if you stay or go, then you are most likely in a dead end relationship that isn’t going to change.
# They can’t get over their exIf you are in a relationship with someone who can’t seem to get past their ex, then you aren’t really in a relationship. You can be affectionate toward two people, but for a partnership to happen, there can only be two of you.
Not being able to let go of their past relationship is a signal that there is something missing in their current one. Let’s face it, if they had everything that they wanted with you, then the old one would fade away. Being in love with someone in love with someone else is a dead end for sure.
# They don’t want the same things out of life
When we fall in love, we tend to discount the things that are the most critical to a relationship’s success, which are like wanting a family or traditional roles. If you think the person you are with is going to change their mind and suddenly want the white picket fence and 2.2 children if they have already told you that isn’t what they want out of life, wake up, you are in a dead end relationship.
Wishing for things doesn’t make them true. No matter which way your relationship goes, either they end up sacrificing what they want or you are.
And, that isn’t going to make anyone happy. If you want different things in life, then it is best to move along and find your way out of the dead end path you are on.
# You go around and around about the same shit without finding resolutionIf you fight about the same things over and over, then it isn’t going to change. There is a reason why you can’t seem to find resolution in your relationship. It is because you aren’t compatible or mature enough to compromise.
Regardless if it is you or them, things aren’t going to change if they haven’t by now. It isn’t just a little banter if you seem to be stuck on an emotional roller coaster that has you butting heads more than putting them together to kiss. Not being able to make peace or communicate with one another is the biggest sign of a dead end relationship.
# One of you has Peter Pan Syndrome
Peter Pan Syndrome is the inability for a person to grow up. If your mate isn’t interested in anything but strip clubs, weekends in Vegas, and an eternal immaturity, that is a sign they likely can’t be tamed. If they can, it probably won’t be anytime soon or by you.
You have two choices. Wait it out and hope that at some point they mature and grow up. Or you decide you deserve more and want more out of life than the perpetual party and good time. If they won’t commit now, don’t make the mistake of thinking they will sometime in the future.
# They have said they don’t want to have a relationship
We have all known that couple who swore they would never get married and just fooled around only to get the wedding invitation four months later. If you think that is where your relationship is headed, just make sure you are realistic.
Usually, if someone says that they don’t want to get married, guess what? They typically mean it. If someone tells you they don’t want a commitment, they intend to stay single forever, or aren’t into marriage, believe them. Take them at their word.