In healthy relationships, it's crucial for both individuals to share similar desires and emotions. While there may be instances where one person contributes more effort than the other, this should only be a temporary situation, not a long-term one. It's vital to recognize if you're investing more in your partner than they are in you. If you observe any of these behaviors emerging, you may need to take a step back.
1. His phone calls home are very long and somewhat obnoxious
While it's admirable for him to enjoy talking with his family and maintaining close ties with them, it's impolite to engage in lengthy conversations with them during your date night. Furthermore, it's questionable if he always picks up their calls regardless of the circumstances. If you've experienced a ruined dinner date because he was chatting with his mom, it's a clear indication that she's a higher priority than you.
2. You're not featured on his social media at all
Having a few couple's photos on your Instagram feed can be a lovely gesture, but if your partner's social media suggests he's single, you may question what message he's conveying. Although you're not his entire world, you play a significant role in it. A tag or shoutout is a courteous and thoughtful gesture. However, if he still has pictures of his ex-partners but none of you, that's a significant warning sign.
3. He doesn't introduce you to friends or family
If your partner doesn't even acknowledge that you're his girlfriend, it's an even more significant issue. It's evident that you're investing more in the relationship than he is. By not introducing you or making you feel at ease at family gatherings, he's essentially confessing that he doesn't believe the relationship has a future. Nonetheless, he's postponing making that decision until someone else captures his attention.
4. He doesn't ask you about your day
However, he might be quite talkative and eager to tell you about his life. Some men enjoy conversing and may be unaware that they're being impolite. Yet, others may be uninterested in asking about your life. It's up to you to differentiate between the two if you always feel like you're unable to express yourself.
5. He easily forgets details you've told him
Admittedly, the past few years have been quite uncertain. However, if you sense that your partner is forgetting things because he's constantly absorbed in his phone or iPad, it's a significant issue. Not only should you never be relegated to second place to technology, but you also shouldn't have to repeat yourself to convey a message. Communication is one of the most vital aspects of any relationship, and he's demonstrating a lack of genuine effort in that regard.
6. He forgets your birthday
It's essential to acknowledge birthdays in some manner. It's typically crucial to determine how a partner perceives the day, as some individuals may not consider it a significant event. However, if this is the third year in a row that your partner has neglected to celebrate your birthday despite knowing that it upset you in the past, it's clear that he's either not attentive or doesn't care about your happiness. If the inconvenience of getting you a gift and card causes him so little bother, his actions are hard to justify.
7. It took him a long time to define the relationship
Furthermore, he only made things official after you expressed feeling insecure about your status in his life. While not all men need to go to great lengths to make it official, if your partner hesitated and required some convincing to acknowledge you as his girlfriend, it's not an ideal match. It demonstrates that he doesn't require the relationship to be happy in his current life. If you still have reservations about your position in his life, even after assigning labels, you need to acknowledge that he may not be that committed to you.
8. He refuses to sit down and watch a movie with you if it's not something he wants to see
Occasionally, it's not about what's playing on the screen; it's about the company. If your partner repeatedly declines invitations to watch shows or movies with you, he's missing out on a significant aspect of the relationship. It's a minor sacrifice for him to make. If you're trying to coerce him into watching 90 Day Fiancé every night, that's one thing. However, if he keeps turning down movie date nights because he's not entirely keen on your movie choices, that's another story.
