Sign in

Just a rough patch or beginning of the end? Expert shares 7 signs when relationship is at the point of no return

Updated on: May 11, 2025, 15:48:37 IST
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
Copy link
  • copy link
There's a difference between a rough patch and the beginning of the end. You can bounce back from a rough patch, but when you hit a dead end, there’s no turning back. (Shutterstock)
There's a difference between a rough patch and the beginning of the end. You can bounce back from a rough patch, but when you hit a dead end, there’s no turning back. (Shutterstock)

There are some signs that unequivocally tell you if your relationship is beyond the point of salvage. Know about these here.

A ‘relation-ship’ may seem all well and good, sailing smoothly on its course. But sometimes, the vision gets blinded by a mist of comfort and denial, leaving you short-sighted, until you finally see it's about to crash, too late to steer away, with sinking as the only option.

In a relationship that’s slowly losing its colours, there may be a growing sense of unease that something is off, and love is slipping through the cracks. Before it’s too late, it’s important to rein it in and recognise the signs that your relationship is going south.

ALSO READ: Are you compatible with your partner? Relationship coach shares 4 ways you can know if they are the one for you

Relationship coach Jon Dabach took to Instagram to share 7 subtle-but-serious signs that your relationship might be nearing the point of no return. He also shared one of his clients' experiences, where they didn't realise their relationship was nearing the end until it was too late.

The relationship coach shared these 7 signs:


1. You avoid conversations

  • Every talk ends in a fight, or worse, silence.
  • When communication feels pointless, emotional distance and disconnect set in fast.

2. No more physical affection

  • Not just sex, but the small things too.
  • Like casual touch, hugs, hand-holding, or even warmth disappear.

3. You feel better alone

  • Their presence once felt like home.
  • But now it's a reminder of what's feeling.

4. Resentment has replaced gratitude

  • Everything they do irritates you.
  • Kindness feels forced. You can’t remember the last “thank you.”
There is a deep-seated resentment instead of love. (Shutterstock)
There is a deep-seated resentment instead of love. (Shutterstock)

5. You fantasise about life without them

  • It's not expressed in moments of anger
  • But as a quiet, daily thought.

6. You have stopped trying to fix things

  • Apathy has taken over, and it's one of the final nails in the coffin.
  • You are no longer fighting for the relationship, you’re just surviving in it.

7. You have lost respect for each other

  • Love can survive a lot.
  • But without respect, rebuilding is nearly impossible.

He emphasised that the sooner one identifies these, the better the chances are of mending the relationship.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

  • Adrija Dey
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Adrija Dey

    Adrija Dey’s proclivity for observation fuels her storytelling instinct. As a lifestyle journalist, she crafts compelling, relatable narratives across diverse touchpoints of the human experience, including wellness, mental health, relationships, interior design, home decor, food, travel, and fashion that gently nudge readers toward living a little better. For her, stories exist in flesh and bones, carried by human vessels and shaped through everyday endeavours. It is the small stories we live and share that make us human. After all, humans and their lores are the most natural and raw repositories of stories, and uncovering them, for her, is akin to peeling an orange under a winter afternoon sun. Always up for a chat, she believes the best stories come from unfiltered yapping, where "too much information" is kind of the point. A graduate of Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, and an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi, Adrija spends her idle hours cocooned with herbal tea and a gripping thriller, scribbling inner monologues she loosely calls poetic pieces, often with her succulents in attendance. On lazier days, she can be found binge-watching, for the nth time, one from her comfort-show holy trinity: The Office (US), Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or Modern Family. Dancing by herself to her peppy playlists, however, is an everyday ritual she swears by religiously.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.

Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs.