10 Little Things That Can Ruin Relationships

There are obvious ways to wreck a relationship, whether you and your partner have gotten past the point of no return or one, or both, of you are sabotaging it in ways you don’t even know. But that’s the thing, sometimes you can be completely unaware what you’re doing and then — bam! It’s too late.

See if you’ve picked up these bad habits that you didn’t know until right now how much they’re hurting your relationship. Hopefully it’ll give you enough time to fix it. If it’s worth fixing, that is.

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Man and woman, backs turned, not talking

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1 / 10

Keeping quiet

Unless your partner is a mind-reader, then you have to open up. Otherwise they're never going to know what you're feeling until you actual verbalize it. Complaining about your significant other to your friends is OK but if you're venting about your person instead of to them, how will they ever know what's bugging you?

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2 / 10

No longer listening

If your mind is elsewhere when your partner is speaking to you, you're showing them zero respect. They deserve better.

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3 / 10

Sweeping things under the rug

If you let things about your partner slide and don't talk about or raise concerns, then it's only going to build resentment. Like with anything else, it's never good to bottle up your feelings so if something's bugging you, it's better to discuss things now, then fight about it later.

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4 / 10

Getting too comfortable

There's something comforting about being able to just be yourself in front of your person -- but that doesn't mean you have to let yourself go. And while there's nothing wrong with a night in, you also need to go out too, whether it's a movie, a restaurant, a museum, or even just strolling around, hand-in-hand.

Woman sleeping while man stares angrily at her

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5 / 10

Slacking on sex

You get to a certain level of familiarity in a relationship but that doesn't mean it has to fizzle out. Sure, it's normal to not be jumping each other's bones every time you see each other but if you're more roommates than lovers, that's never good. Maintaining intimacy is vital in a healthy relationship.

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6 / 10

Passing out on the couch

While this one isn't sex-related, it is tied to a couple's intimacy issues. While falling asleep in front of the TV doesn't seem like a big deal, if that couch becomes a replacement for your bed, that's a bad sign. Sleeping together might be annoying (what with all the snoring, blanket stealing and all the movement that's akin to a rhythmic gymnastics routine) but it's something you put up with. A physical distance, even one that's unintentional, can have bad effects on a relationship.

Two women holding hands, one looking away

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7 / 10

Assuming they’ll always be there

If you start taking your person for granted, they might look elsewhere to get the attention they're missing at home.

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8 / 10

Forgetting those special days

Whether it's an anniversary, birthday, a promotion or some other milestone that's worthy of recognition, find a way to celebrate together.

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9 / 10

Focusing on the negative

It's always easier to see the cons instead of the pros, but focusing on the bad and not acknowledging the good would be detrimental to any relationship.

Man next to woman, whose head is in hands

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10 / 10

Fighting dirty

You don't always have to convey your thoughts and opinions in a quiet, healthy way; sometimes heated discussions, arguments and fights happen. It's when things take a turn and insults are uttered that can't be taken back when it can all fall apart.