5 Signs You're Taking Your Partner For Granted And How To Fix It

Last updated on : December 27 2022

Article Summary

This article discusses taking someone for granted, which refers to not showing appreciation or gratitude for their actions or presence. 

Taking someone for granted can harm the health and happiness of a relationship and cause your partner to feel resentment, frustration, and a lack of connection and intimacy. 

These five signs are indicators that you are taking your partner for granted:

• Not making an effort in the relationship, such as not putting effort into your appearance or hygiene, 
• Not saying "thank you" or expressing gratitude towards your partner; 
• Not making time for your partner and prioritizing other things over time together; 
• Not communicating openly and honestly with your partner; 
• And not trying to understand and fulfill your partner's needs and wants. 

If you notice any of these signs in your behavior, then take steps to address them to maintain a healthy and happy relationship.

Introduction

Taking someone for granted means not showing appreciation or gratitude for their actions or presence, which can happen in any relationship, including romantic partnerships. 

When you take someone for granted, you harm the health and happiness of your relationship, leaving your partner feeling resentment, frustration, and a lack of connection and intimacy. 

It is essential to be aware of when you might be taking your partner for granted and to take steps to address this behavior if you do. 

In this article, we explore five signs that you may be taking your partner for granted and discuss ways to avoid doing so for a healthy and happy relationship.

Five Signs You're Taking Your Partner For Granted, And How To Fix Each

Here are five signs to watch out for and fix before it's too late.

1. You stop making an effort

When you stop making an effort in your relationship, you are likely taking your partner for granted. This behavior can manifest in a variety of ways, such as:

• Not putting effort into your appearance or hygiene when you're around your partner
• Not planning special dates or activities for the two of you
• Not putting effort into resolving conflicts or addressing issues in the relationship
• Not making an effort to show affection or physical intimacy
• Not saying sorry when you should

When you act this way, your partner may feel neglected or unimportant. It might also make your partner feel like you don't care about them or your time together. 

How to fix this issue: Make a conscious effort to be more thoughtful and considerate towards your partner. Actions you can take include things like:

• Making an effort to dress nicely and groom yourself when you're around your partner
• Planning special dates or activities to show your appreciation and affection
• Making an effort to resolve conflicts and address issues in a healthy and constructive way
• Showing physical love and intimacy, such as holding hands, cuddling, or giving kisses

When you make an effort in this way, you show your partner that you care about them and your time together.

2. You stop saying "thank you" or expressing gratitude

Expressing gratitude and appreciation towards your partner is essential to any healthy connection. When you take your partner for granted, you may stop saying "thank you" or expressing gratitude for the things they do for you or the relationship. 

These actions can make your partner feel undervalued and unappreciated.

You cannot overstate the importance of expressing gratitude in a relationship. It helps to build a sense of connection and appreciation between partners, and it can also help to foster feelings of happiness and satisfaction. 

When you don't express gratitude, your partner may feel you don't appreciate their efforts or what they do for you - causing them to resent or feel frustrated with you.

How to fix this issue: Express appreciation and gratitude towards your partner regularly. These expressions can be as simple as saying "thank you" when they do something kind or thoughtful, or they can involve more deliberate gestures of appreciation, such as writing a heartfelt note or buying a small gift. 

Here are a few examples of when you might say "thank you" in a relationship:

• When your partner does something thoughtful or kind for you, such as making breakfast in bed, buying you a gift, or taking care of a task you asked them to do.
• When your partner supports you emotionally by listening to you, offering advice, or being there for you during a difficult time.
• When your partner does something for the relationship, such as planning a date, making a romantic gesture, or helping to resolve a conflict.
• When your partner does something for the household, such as running errands, doing chores, or taking care of the kids.
• When your partner does something for your personal growth or development, such as encouraging you to pursue a goal or supporting you in a new venture.

In general, it is a good idea to say "thank you" whenever your partner does something that shows care, support, or kindness towards you or the relationship. 

3. You stop making time for your partner

Making time for your partner is an integral part of any healthy relationship. 

When you take your partner for granted, you may stop making time for them or prioritize other things over time together. 

This behavior can hurt your partner and lead to loneliness and disconnection. Your partner may also feel neglected or unimportant and wonder about your commitment.

Quality time together helps to foster feelings of connection and intimacy, allowing you to enjoy shared experiences and create new memories. When you make time for your partner, you show them that they are a priority in your life and that you value them.

How to fix this issue: If necessary, make a schedule and prioritize time with your partner, a regular date night, for instance. You can set aside specific days or times each week for quality time together, or you can make an effort to include your partner in your daily activities. 

Also, be mindful of your partner's needs and wants regarding quality time, and try to do things they enjoy. 

By making time for your partner, you can show them that you value and appreciate them and avoid taking them for granted.

4. You stop communicating openly and honestly

Effective communication is an essential component of any healthy relationship. 

When you take your partner for granted, you may stop communicating openly and honestly with them. You may avoid difficult conversations, withhold vital information, or not be truthful about your feelings or intentions.

The role of communication in a healthy relationship is so important. It helps build trust, understanding, and connection between partners and allows for resolving conflicts and addressing issues healthily and constructively. 

When you communicate openly and honestly with your partner, you show them that you value and respect them and are committed to your time together.

When you don't communicate openly and honestly, it can lead to misunderstanding and mistrust. It can also lead to frustration and resentment, damaging your connection. 

How to fix this issue: Make an effort to communicate openly and honestly with your partner. Try setting aside dedicated time to talk, being honest about your feelings and needs, and trying to listen and understand your partner's perspective. 

Also, be respectful and considerate in your communication, and be willing to compromise and find solutions that work for both of you. 

By making an effort to communicate openly and honestly with your partner, you can strengthen the intimacy between the two of you and avoid taking them for granted.

5. You stop trying to understand your partner's needs and wants

Empathy, or the ability to understand and share another person's feelings, is vital to any healthy relationship. 

When you take your partner for granted, you may stop trying to understand their needs and wants and may not make an effort to fulfill them. These actions can make your partner feel misunderstood and unimportant.

Empathy helps foster feelings of understanding, connection, and intimacy and allows you to be there for your partner in a meaningful way. When you try to understand and fulfill your partner's needs and wants, you show them that you care about them and value them.

A lack of empathy may make your partner feel neglected or unimportant and question how much you care for them. 

How to fix this issue: Showing empathy towards your partner involves identifying and acknowledging their emotions, even if you do not necessarily agree with them or share the same perspective. 

Here are a few ways you can show empathy toward your partner:

• Listen actively and attentively to your partner when they are speaking. Active listening means making eye contact, paying attention to what they say, and avoiding distractions, such as your phone or other tasks.
• Validate your partner's feelings, even if you disagree with them. You can do this by acknowledging their emotions and saying things like "I can see why you would feel that way" or "I understand how you feel."
• Put yourself in your partner's shoes and try to see things from their perspective. This approach can help you better understand their emotions and how they might feel.
• Offer support and comfort to your partner when they are upset or distressed. This support can involve physical affection, such as a hug, a hand on the shoulder, or verbal reassurance and kindness.
• Ask your partner open-ended questions about their feelings and why, and listen to their responses. This behavior can help you to gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and how to support them.

By showing empathy towards your partner, you can help to strengthen the bond between you and foster feelings of trust, connection, and understanding in the relationship.

Conclusion

This article explored the various signs that you may be taking your partner for granted, including:

• Not making an effort in the relationship
• Not saying "thank you" and expressing gratitude
• Not making time for your partner
• Not communicating openly and honestly
• Not trying to understand and fulfill your partner's needs and wants

Be aware of these signs and take steps to address them if you notice them in your behavior. 

Related Topics

• Relationship Advice: How To Build And Maintain Attraction
• The Power Of Apology: How Saying Sorry Can Strengthen Your Relationship
• Understanding Narcissism: Definition, Causes, And Effects On Relationships
• How To Discuss Family Planning With Your Significant Other
• How To Maintain A Thriving Relationship After Moving In Together