In the Sex and the City episode, “Luck Be an Old Lady,” Samantha is confronted with a major decision regarding her beau Richard who has a wandering eye. Catching him cheating on her has only made Samantha’s paranoia skyrocket as they hit the Atlantic City Casinos for a weekend getaway. Not being able to take the “what if’s” of the relationship, Samantha throws all her cards on the table and while breaking up with Richard says, “I love you Richard, but I love me more.”
In television land, Samantha knew when to let go and what her deal breaker was, but in reality, so many other factors play a part in staying in a situation that we know is not the best for us. Letting go isn’t always as easy as proclaiming our love for ourselves and dropping the baggage on the way out. In your relationships, are you confident as to what your deal breakers are or do you find yourself compromising way too much of yourself just to be in the relationship? Whether married or cohabiting together, a relationship has its ups and downs, but ultimately, shouldn’t the ups outweigh the downs? Here are six examples of when you know it’s time to let go.
Is your relationship growing or holding you back?
Evolution is important for any type of relationship. Sure, things can get stagnant after the honeymoon phase wears off but a good relationship always keeps the pilot light on, readying for the next fire to ignite. How do you feel when you see your significant other at the end of a long day? Are you ready to curl up next to him/her or do you find other things to do at home or before going home so that you end up spending as little time as possible with that person? Ask yourself, “Are we evolving or are we on a slippery slope to extinction?”
How does this person make you feel?
Do you feel like you could accomplish anything with this person by your side or do you feel drained from all of the arguing you have to do with this person to get your point across? Pay attention to this as it’s a very important factor for a healthy relationship. If your relationship is thwarting your professional growth in any kind of way, not only just your emotional growth, it may be time to reassess where you are in your life and where you are going with this person. Is the once man of your dreams now getting in the way of your dreams? Ditch him immediately, otherwise you might wind up resenting them permanently.
Are you staying to make others happy?
If you are staying because you are scared of what others may think because you ended the relationship, or what might come out about you from your relationship, your priorities are seriously out of order. If you know in your heart of hearts that you have given it your all and it is time to go but you don’t want the proverbial “egg on your face,” look at it like this: people are going to talk if you stay and they know you are not being treated with the respect you deserve anyway. People are going to talk in general. Let them talk. And besides, who’s unhappy here? Who has to deal with the mess that you call a relationship everyday? Them or you? Block everyone else’s opinion out and focus on what you want.
Does this person do what they can to the best of their ability to make you happy?
When I say best of their ability what I mean is this: by now you should have some clue as to what your significant other is capable of and you should also be able to tell if they are giving it their all to fulfill your needs. Is he barely coming by anymore? Do you guys rarely go out now that you’ve been together for a while? Ladies, don’t expect a backrub if you know he isn’t so gifted in that area, and men shouldn’t expect a five-course meal when homegirl just learned how to boil Ramen noodles. Only reevaluate when you know that person could do better but is just choosing not to.
Read More: “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore? Figuring Out When and How to Let Go” On: MadameNoire
