Signs That You're In A One-Sided Relationship

Not all relationships are created equal. In some, two people aren't on an even footing. This can lead to toxicity and resentment if not addressed, but how do you even know if you're in such a relationship? While this is definitely different from unrequited love, it's still a problem that needs to be addressed. What are the signs that your relationship is one-sided? 

A good relationship is all about communication. If one person does most of the talking, then your relationship is probably one-sided. "One of the best reasons to be in an intimate relationship is that we have someone to tell our troubles to, who will take our side when the world feels harsh," marriage and family therapist Amy Begel told HuffPost. "That feeling of being understood and accepted is what intimacy is about. If you become immediately bored, or act like your partner is a drag when he or she starts to tell you about their bad day, it's like slamming an emotional door in their face. Even if your partner doesn't protest, it's still a recipe for loneliness in a relationship."

Another sign that your relationship is one-sided is if your needs are going unnoticed. "I always know there is a quality of deadness in a couple who comes for therapy where one partner isn't at all worried about pleasing the other person," said Begel. "In a healthy relationship, we're supposed to be aware of what pleases our partner and, at least part of the time, try to accommodate their desires. It's of course always a question of balance: We don't live to please our partner, but we're not indifferent to our partner's needs, wishes, desires. It goes a long way in a relationship when we know our partner is paying attention to what we need, even if it doesn't always work out."

Another major sign that your relationship is one-sided is that your partner doesn't pay attention to your life outside of your relationship. A partner in a healthy relationship will be excited about you achieving your goals and will want to get to know your friends and family, relationship therapist Chloe Carmichael wrote for Women's Health.

Another tell-tale sign of a one-sided relationship is that your partner constantly cancels plans, or you always find yourself having to fit into their schedule. "If they're super casual about dismissing plans with you over something flimsy, chances are, you're more invested in them than they are in you," said Carmichael.