If you’re reading this right now because the title has caught your attention, our heart goes out to you ☹️ You probably clicked on this because you suspect (or maybe you already know) that you’re in a one-sided relationship.

But for the sake of those who might have clicked out of curiosity, a one-sided relationship is when there is an imbalance in the relationship. Your partner may be sitting next to you right now, but you feel like they’re a million miles away. The sad part? You feel like you can’t reach them. 

Truth is, you’ve felt this distance for a while and you’ve tried to fix it. You put in more effort to dress up, you plan fun dates, and you do everything you can to see them smile again. You make their favourite food and when they want to hang out with their friends on the weekend, you act like you’re cool with it.

But you’re hurting so much on the inside. You feel so lonely even when they’re lying next to you. You want to reach out to touch them, but it feels like a wall has gone up between the two of you. 

You’ve been putting in the time, the effort and the sincerity, but why does it feel like it’s all in vain? If you feel like we’re writing about you then here are 8 signs that you’re definitely in a one-sided relationship.

 

1. They’re not there for you like you are there for them

When they’re having a bad day, you rush to their side immediately. But when the tables turn, they’re nowhere in sight. You start hearing a lot more excuses and it seems that they only look for you when they need something from you.

This is a pretty good sign of a one-sided relationship.

 

2. You’re the only one who puts work into the relationship

There’s a reason why it takes two people to be in a relationship – it’s a lot of work! Yes, sometimes one of you might need to do more than the other but it should balance out in the end.

But if you’re the only one who seems to be putting in the effort, it’s going to be exhausting and demotivating. If you’ve ever brought this up and your partner downplays it or avoids it altogether, that’s a huge red flag screaming in your face.

 

3. You’re insecure and feel like you’re not enough

Another sign of a one-sided relationship is when you start doubting yourself and asking why they’re with you. Your thoughts go into overdrive and you might feel that there’s something wrong with you that’s driving them away.

You could not be more wrong, but sometimes it happens and it sucks.

 

4. You make excuses for their behaviour.

You always manage to find something else to blame for their bad behaviour. You refuse to see the truth and call them out on it because this is not the person you fell in love with in the first place.

You’re hoping that they’ll change but deep down, you know differently.

 

5. There’s more negative than positive emotions

When you think of your partner, you should be feeling proud of them, and proud of what the two of you have accomplished together. But you find yourself feeling frustrated and disappointed instead. 

You feel helpless and lost because you do not know how else to get out of this situation. This is the misery of a one-sided relationship – there is more pain than joy when you think of them.

 

6. You’re always the one apologising

When the two of you get into arguments, you’d rather be the first to apologise even if you’re not in the wrong. You take the blame in order to keep the peace within the relationship. You rather keep quiet than stir up trouble because the relationship feels so fragile. Know that there’s a difference between compromising and avoiding healthy discussion to solve the issue at hand. 

The more you do give in, the more you’ll start to hate yourself and that should never be how you feel in a relationship.

 

7. You feel like you are tiptoeing around them.

You are careful with your words and you only talk about things that would not upset your partner. You become very conscious of your behaviour so as not to trigger a negative response from them. It almost feels like you are walking through a minefield. What a horrible way to be in a relationship!

 

8. You’re never certain about how theyre feeling

With the lack of communication between you two, you are left to make assumptions and speculations about what they are thinking and feeling. You used to know just by looking in their eyes but nowadays, they feel like a stranger to you.

When your partner starts feeling like someone you do not know, it is very clear that you are in a one sided relationship.

 

Tips on How To Get Out of A One-Sided Relationship

I feel for you. One-sided relationships are the absolute worst, and you might be wondering how to deal with it. Here are some ways you could try to fix the one sided relationship you are in.

 

1. Get real and ask yourself the questions you may be avoiding.

The questions are hard, but you cannot run away from them anymore. Be honest with yourself and ask, “Do you feel happy with this person? Do you feel safe? How much more are you willing to sacrifice?”

You do not have to have the answers all at once, but it might be a good idea to spend some time apart and reflect on the relationship.

2. Do a relationship inventory to explore your personal boundaries and deal-breakers.

Take an assessment of how much you have been contributing to the relationship and see how you can realistically maintain it in a way that you would not feel drained. Know your boundaries so that you can clearly tell your partner what are the things that are important to you.

 

3. Communicate, communicate, communicate.

Communication is key, you have heard it, you have read about it, it is the number one rule of a relationship. Ongoing communication is so important so that you are constantly in touch with each other.

Communication takes art and skills, so do not give up when it feels difficult at first. Fixing a one-sided relationship will take time and effort but if the both of you are willing to do the work, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

 

4. Be open and make time to talk about what is going on regularly.

Be intentional about your conversations. Make time for it, set apart a day of the week so that you can come together and talk about what is working and what is not.

It might take a while to trust and to open up to each other but the more you do it, the easier it gets.

 

5. Decide if it is better to end the relationship.

Sometimes, you have to know when to cut your losses. It is unfortunate and it would be heart-breaking but if your partner is not willing to hear you out or come to a compromise, this is probably the best decision you could make for yourself.

Remember, you deserve someone who loves you just as much as you love them.

 

6. Take time to recover.

Take all the time you need to recover. Even though it feels like the right thing to do, you will still hurt and grieve over the relationship and the person you lost.

Nobody said it would be easy to get over this. Practice self-care and focus on your own wellbeing first.

 

7. Talk to a therapist.

Your emotions can be so overwhelming that you do not know how to deal with them on your own. Schedule an appointment to see a therapist – the therapist will be someone who can listen to you without judgement and help you process your thoughts and feelings.

There is no shame in seeing a therapist and there is no problem too small for them.

 

8. Get on Sugarbook!

The sugar life is the perfect solution because you will never be in a one-sided relationship. The essence of sugar dating is an honest & beneficial relationship where clear communication and consent is key. Yes, you read that right! 

This means you will not face the uncertainty and insecurity of being in a one sided relationship anymore. What a relief! The power is in your hands to decide the kind of sugar life you want to lead whether as a sugar baby, sugar daddy or sugar mummy. Doesn’t that sound good?

If you need more convincing, hop on over here!