by Jade Fitzgerald

Created on: September 10, 2009

No relationship is perfect all of the time but how do you know if you're just going through a bad patch or if it's time to call it a day?

- The closeness has gone.

You can be sitting next to each other but still feel a thousand miles apart. You used to be able to jump on the seat next to them, perhaps tickle them or throw a cushion at them but now you don't feel like you can do that as you're not sure how they'll react. You also struggle to find interesting things to say to them whereas before you wouldn't even need to think about it.

- Sex is non-existent

Not being able to remember the last time the two of you had sex is a bad sign. If you no longer fancy your partner and have no desire to have sex with them then that's an even worse sign.

- You fight and argue

If neighbours are complaining about the noise on a regular basis and you can't even do the washing up without bickering then you're fighting way too much. Every couple argues, but if you're spending more time fighting than not then your relationship is in big trouble.

- Trust issues

A relationship cannot survive without trust so if you think your partner has cheated or they don't trust you then the relationship is likely to be a bumpy road. Imagine a lifetime of Where have you been? Who have you been with? Let me see your phone. It's not healthy for either partner, so sort it out or get out.

- No future plans

If you or your partner are reluctant to make future plans, be it moving in together or simply just spending more time together, then the chances are one or both of you does not care much for the relationship. If you can't see a future for the two of you then you probably don't have one.

- Boredom

The thought of seeing your partner no longer excites you and you no longer get that warm fuzzy feeling when you think of them. Spending time with them seems more like something you 'have' to do as opposed to something you want to do.

- Abuse

Your partner has become abusive. The abuse doesn't have to be physical, it can be mental too. If your partner is telling you you're useless and ugly and telling you no-one else will ever want you then they are abusing you. It may not be as obvious as a slap across the face but it is abuse all the same and you should not stand for it.

Not all of these signs alone mean the relationship is doomed but if more than a few of them sound familiar then you have to accept that the relationship either needs a lot of work or it's over.

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