Every relationship should be a team effort. It’s not fair for one partner to bear all the responsibility for improving their relationship.

For this reason, it is always heartbreaking to see one partner doing their best and the other slacking off or even undermining the relationship.

And that last part is what we’re here for. So, without delay, let’s see what are the signs that your partner’s lack of empathy is undermining the relationship itself.

1) They ignore your feelings

Imagine you share something important to you, and instead of acknowledging it, they brush it off like it’s no big deal. Well, now getting rid of your emotions is also important.

By doing this more than a few times, they are clearly showing how little empathy they have.

You either couldn’t notice it at the beginning of the relationship because you didn’t know them well yet, or they managed to hide it.

People also change over the years, and what was once a loving partner full of empathy may now become ignorant and cold.

Whatever the case may be, you’re stuck now if things don’t change in the future. Maybe nudge them in the right direction and ask them why they feel so cold right now.

2) They do not provide any support

In difficult times, you expect your partner to be there for you, right? But if they don’t offer this support, you may feel like you’re facing challenges alone.

A relationship should feel like a partnership, and when it doesn’t, you start to feel isolated.

Again, try to speak up and tell them what you see and feel from your side. Anything is better than keeping quiet and letting things rot further.

Ask them why they don’t support you. What is the reason behind their indifference?

3) They find it difficult to understand you

Often times, your partner is ignorant and seems cold because they don’t understand you (anymore). Ask yourself, have you changed since you started dating?

Are there a lot of differences between you now?

Also, sometimes, you just want your partner to understand what you’re going through without explicitly stating it.

If they have difficulty understanding your feelings or thoughts without clear communication, this can lead to frustration and feelings of unmet emotional needs.

4) You don’t do anything together anymore

If you and your partner used to have a good time doing things together, like watching movies, going for walks, or playing games, and suddenly these activities become less frequent, it may mean that you are starting to grow apart.

Having a good time means being truly present with each other. If you’re physically present but mentally elsewhere, or you’re not spending much time together, this connection may fade.

Another symptom is that they have no empathy and hence they don’t know how to communicate with you and have a good time together.

5) There is almost no emotion anymore

Do you remember those hugs, kisses and sweet gestures? If these decrease, it means that something is missing in the emotional department.

But intimacy means more than just physical closeness; It’s also about emotional connection. If either side is fading, you have a deeper problem at hand.

Over the years, it’s easy to forget these important things. Work, kids, responsibilities – it feels like we’re constantly running. Who has time for affection when life is a rat race?

When I put it this way, it makes sense. But both partners must make a conscious effort to maintain physical and emotional closeness, to keep the relationship going. No matter how busy life is.

6) You have unresolved conflicts

Every couple has disagreements, but if the same arguments continue and are never resolved, it can lead to a rift.

And if it’s always their fault, it means that they are, consciously or unconsciously, sabotaging your relationship.

It’s also true that something needs to be done, and your best bet is to talk about it. If that fails, and you’re still fighting, why not try couples therapy?

They may be hesitant, but hey, at least you’ll know whether or not they want to work on the relationship.

7) One person makes all the decisions

Ideally, big decisions, such as where to live or major purchases, should be joint efforts. If one person is making all the decisions, it makes the other person feel neglected.

It’s also a warning sign of a lack of empathy or respect from the other side because they clearly want to have complete control in their hands.

What is our position on that?

Definitely not in a good place. There is a major imbalance in the relationship, and this should not go unchecked. You have to ask yourself why they make all the decisions.

8) You feel worthless

If you don’t feel appreciated or your efforts aren’t acknowledged, it makes the relationship seem one-sided.

That’s no way to live life, is it? This is also not why you got into this relationship in the first place.

Aside from their lack of empathy being the problem here again, you need to ask yourself some tough questions as well.

Do you bring enough to the table in the relationship? Is the problem perhaps with you?

9) There is no middle ground

Healthy relationships also involve give and take. If compromise sounds like pulling teeth, it’s a struggle.

If they can’t or won’t compromise because they have no empathy, what are you left with? You have to intervene every time a discussion, fight or decision is made.

Have they always been like this, or was there a change in their attitude at some point? Have you always been this unassertive, or has that changed too?

Try to set boundaries and draw a line in the sand for important issues. This will show them that you are serious and ready to stick to your guns.

10) They have many mood swings

Your partner’s feelings may be all over the place. One moment, they’re upbeat, and the next, it’s like a flip of a switch, and they’re distant or moody.

Predicting their emotional state becomes a challenge, doesn’t it?

But mood swings may make it difficult for them to understand and communicate your feelings.

It’s as if their emotional ups and downs make it difficult for them to adapt to yours.

11) No serious conversations or deep conversations

Deep, meaningful conversations are part of the bond that holds relationships together. If your partner is constantly avoiding serious conversations, this is another way to create a barrier to emotional intimacy, leaving important issues unresolved.

Maybe they don’t understand its importance. After some time, there won’t be any real excitement in talking to your partner.

Perhaps this is what happened to them, so they began to keep their thoughts to themselves. Ask them to open up more by searching for topics you know they like to talk about.

You may not be very familiar with it, but why not try it anyway?

12) If something goes wrong, it’s always your fault

Instead of taking responsibility for his or her actions, your partner may be quick to blame you, others, or even external factors.

This pattern creates a hostile atmosphere in the relationship. You feel like a sitting duck waiting to be blamed for something.

Not only is this unfair to them, but they clearly think they are infallible, or they are insecure and don’t want to admit any mistakes.

finalthoughts

There is no easy way out of this predicament, especially if they do not see their mistakes or how they are undermining the relationship.

You need to start by sharing how you feel their lack of empathy is affecting the relationship. Be specific about situations that cause you anxiety.

But also ask about their feelings and perspectives. Understanding each other’s perspectives is key.

Finally, consider couples counseling. A professional therapist can provide a neutral environment in which to explore deeper issues.

They can guide you both in improving communication and empathy as a way to repair the relationship.