7 Concrete Signs Your Current Relationship Isn’t Your Forever Relationship

When you’re caught up in a new relationship, it often feels like you’ve found the one. The butterflies, the intimacy–it’s intoxicating. But are they your soulmate? Or are you just ignoring all the red flags? If you’re having trouble figuring out if this is temporary, look for these concrete signs that this isn’t your forever relationship.

1. You aren’t yourself when you’re with them.

You feel on edge. You’re trying to be your best self so that your partner stays with you. Maybe you’re eating vegan for them or trying to get into backpacking or Magic the Gathering because that’s what they’re into. But in a forever relationship, you’ll be at ease. You’ll know that they like you just as you are, and you don’t have to change to suit them.

2. They remind you of your ex.

Every relationship is a learning experience, even the ones that were failures. So if your current partner reminds you of your ex, maybe you actually haven’t learned? There’s a reason why you broke up, and you might be destined to repeat it with this new partner if they’re so much like the person you were with before.

3. One of you is way more into this than the other.

Imbalanced relationships are destined for failure. It doesn’t feel good to be more devoted than the other person, or vice versa. A forever relationship will have you both full of love in equal measure.

4. You don’t handle fights as a team.

Compatible fighting styles will make or break a relationship. All relationships have fights, even ones good enough to last forever. The difference is that a compatible couple will be able to handle the moments when you’re unhappy with each other and come together in a comforting and affirming away. Anything less is for temporary relationships.

5. You’re comprising on what should be deal-breakers.

Have you found yourself ignoring your deal-breakers just to be with this person? Maybe they don’t want kids but you do, so suddenly you’re saying, “Well, I don’t need kids.” Babe, yes you do. These are deal-breakers for a reason and you’re just putting off the end of this relationship by pretending they’re not important.

6. You’re mistaking “good enough” for something amazing.

Don’t settle for the bare minimum. Is your currently relationship fine right now? Sure. That doesn’t mean you should stay together, though. Why settle for “fine” when you can have “amazing?”

7. You get a gut feeling that something is wrong.

If you’re questioning the staying power of your current relationship, that’s a hint right there that it’s only temporary. And the longer you stay with this person, the less available you are to meet your forever person.