If you and your partner have been together for a while, you might be stuck in a rut. Time spent together may not be as satisfying as it once was, the romance may seem to be fading, or the two of you may feel like they are merely floating along rather than making any real headway. It’s possible that your feelings for each other haven’t completely faded, and you’re reluctant to give up on the relationship. The problem is that few details stand out. Hello, emotional exhaustion!
Relationship fatigue symptoms
There are many different kinds of burnout, including emotional, physical, or a combination of the two, that couples can experience. Some symptoms and examples of behaviours are listed below.
- The lack of motivation is the primary issue.
Exhausted partners may view romantic activities like going out to dinner or getting the sheets out as work rather than pleasure. It’s possible that you’ve become complacent in your relationship, thinking that things are fine but no longer exciting. At times, you might not even feel like “wanting to put any effort into it.”
- You have no faith that things will improve.
Each of us has ideas about what we want out of the future of our connection with one another. Yet, rather than looking forwards to the future with excitement, “you might feel hopeless about the future of the relationship. You might also be afraid that this feeling of hopelessness will stick with you for the rest of your relationship.
- There’s a disconnect.
Physical or emotional distance can develop when physical contact between partners decreases or disappears.
- Concerns are beginning to form.
Feel like there might be better opportunities elsewhere? Feeling “anxiety about if this is the right person for you” is another symptom of relationship fatigue.
- Patience is at an all-time low.
You’ve noticed a dramatic increase in how quickly you get irritated or frustrated. It’s possible that your partner’s quirks and habits have stopped being cute. This change in attitude may also cause you to argue more often or make one of you take on the “nagging” role.
- One of you cheated.
One or both partners may become so exhausted in a relationship that they start to fantasise about cheating. Infidelity is possible when there isn’t honest communication or when someone wants to try something new.
Where does relationship fatigue come from?
There is no single cause of a relationship’s demise, and the reasons why each pair decides to end things are different. Perhaps you’ve started to feel like you’re giving more to the relationship than you’re getting in return.
In a relationship, even the smallest deposits can add up and prevent an overdraft or burnout, so it’s important to strike a balance.
Small acts of kindness are commonplace in the beginning stages of a relationship. But as you settle into a routine and feel safe, these tend to fade away. Relationship burnout can occur when one or both partners stop trying to do nice things for the other on a regular basis.
Lack of quality time together can lead to resentment and annoyance. However, being available nonstop is also not the best strategy. Spending so much time with another person can make us feel like we know them so well that being in their company is no longer enjoyable.
It’s also not good for a relationship when one partner is emotionally or physically exhausted from something outside the relationship, like work.
Preventing emotional exhaustion in relationships is key.
The key to a successful relationship is open and honest communication about feelings and plans for the future. It is much simpler to “feel engaged and excited again” after a couple has “identified what is missing in their relationship through conversation.”
Planning enjoyable activities, such as a meal at your favourite restaurant, a game night, or a weekend getaway (without the kids), is a quick way to spark interest. However, if you find that spending too much time together is taxing your connection, you may want to consider spending some time apart.
You might want to take a breather if you’ve been getting more irritable and argumentative recently. Keeping your reactions and feelings in check can mean the difference between a happy, long-lasting relationship and one that’s doomed to fail. Find out what your partner truly wants and needs, and tell them.
Summary
Relationship fatigue is different from a lack of affection or desire to end things. It can manifest in many ways, including a decline in physical intimacy, increased conflict, and even infidelity. However, just because one partner is feeling burned out doesn’t mean the relationship has to end. Some things you can do to revitalise your relationship are:
- Giving few indications of affection
- planned social interaction.
- Establishing a dialogue
- A positive attitude and a willingness to put in some work are all that’s required.