I was recently gifted a book that, in two hundred pages, examines existentialism, morality, and ambiguity, otherwise known as life’s grey areas. I, because of this literature, have been so impacted by the author’s philosophical diatribe that I now find the question, “When should I end my relationship?” difficult to answer. Our environment affects our beliefs and actions, but no two persons are the same. Consequently, I will begin by proclaiming that only you, the person with the first-hand experience and master of what is important to your state of being, can determine when your relationship is no longer tenable. I will, however, share some of the tell-tale signs that others have used to help them make the difficult decision to walk away.
“Two is a company; three is a crowd”, especially in relationships constructed on the monogamous promise of “until death do us part”. Good relationships are built on trust derived from either love or financial security. If you are not in it for the money, then a breach of trust due to a third party is an excellent reason to sever your relationship. Still, everyone has a breaking point when it comes to cheating, and one ‘uninvited’ party can signal the end or, in Tiger Wood’s case, a purported one hundred and twenty ‘uninvited’ parties
Someone who is constantly looking outwards to fill an unmet need should seriously consider walking away. Still, alas, this may be easier said than done, especially when assets and children come into play. Trust is not only based on sexual fidelity in relationships, so it is important to define your relationship from the onset, specifically, your expectations. This will, in my honest opinion, help one to know when a relationship is no longer salvageable.
Another critical ingredient of good relationships is respect, and its absence can be a good reason for termination. Respect is shown by how one speaks to their partner and how one treats and speaks about their partner. Constant arguments, exclusion from significant life decisions, divulging sensitive information to others and berating instead of supporting your partner are all tell-tale signs that respect has ‘flown the coop’. A good starting point is determining what respect means to you. If your partner is no longer meeting your standards of respect, then it is time to move on to greener pastures.