{"id":116531,"date":"2026-09-25T06:05:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T10:05:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=116531"},"modified":"2026-09-25T06:05:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T10:05:15","slug":"5-subtle-signs-you-may-be-falling-out-of-love-with-your-partner-according-to-an-expert-and-whether-the-relationship-can-be-saved","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/5-subtle-signs-you-may-be-falling-out-of-love-with-your-partner-according-to-an-expert-and-whether-the-relationship-can-be-saved\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Subtle Signs You May Be Falling Out of Love With Your Partner, According to an Expert \u2014 and Whether the Relationship Can Be Saved"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Holding
Getty Images: Edward Berthelot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some of us will have our experiences with dead-end relationships. It\u2019s obvious from the first few dates that things are going nowhere and it\u2019s only a matter of time before things fizzle.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what about when things are actually going really well and 10 years down the line, you find yourself confused. At what point do you consider you might be falling out of love?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to recognise that no relationship reflects the consistent \u2018high\u2019 of the honeymoon period,\u201d explains Steven Buchwald, MD of <\/span>Manhattan Mental Health Counseling<\/span><\/a>. We can\u2019t be jumping into bed and ripping our clothes off at all times of day until the end of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what are the key signs that something actually is up?<\/span><\/p>\n

Affection feels friendly, not romantic<\/span><\/h2>\n

If affection<\/a> no longer feels like that of a romantic partner \u2014 and could even come from a family member \u2014 this is a sign that something might be afoot.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, like we say, less sex<\/a> than in the early days is a natural occurrence. But Buchwald points out that what matters is whether things have developed into a \u201cquieter romantic bond or whether your partner has stopped feeling like a romantic partner altogether.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He suggests looking out for patterns: whether it\u2019s not wanting to engage with any physical intimacy<\/a> or feeling relief when it the option passes by.<\/span><\/p>\n

You no longer care about your partner\u2019s life<\/span><\/h2>\n

You may have heard about the bird theory, a test made popular on TikTok in recent years. Essentially, you tell your partner you saw a bird. If they seem interested and ask follow up questions then they\u2019re a keeper. If they don\u2019t seem to care then the relationship may be over.<\/span><\/p>\n

While it is a little reductive, there is some truth in the theory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRomantic intimacy is fuelled by continuing to encounter your partner as a person, not an everyday fixture,\u201d Buchwald says. This can mean wanting to tell your partner news before anyone else and asking questions about their stories.<\/span><\/p>\n

A future without them sounds appealing \u2014 not sad<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you picture your partner running away to Timbuktoo and you feel relieved, it\u2019s not a good sign but doesn\u2019t mean the relationship is automatically doomed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRelief serves as useful information,\u201d Buchwald says. \u201cIt can be easily read as the relationship feeling like an obligation, but this may not be the case.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Think about what is causing these feelings \u2014 is it a mismatch of labour, unresolved conflict or simply no time to yourself? Or do you wish for things to be over completely?<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Hands
Getty Images: Shannon Fagan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Reconnecting feels like admin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now, there\u2019s nothing wrong with routined intimacy \u2014 a date night here and a romantic getaway there.<\/span><\/p>\n

What you need to be wary of is if reconnection feels dread-inducing \u2014 or perhaps you feel relieved when plans with your partner are canceled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Guilt is the only reason you stay<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cConcern for your partner is evidence of empathy, but guilt cannot manufacture romantic love,\u201d Buchwald says. This in itself is a form of dishonesty.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you feel guilty for leaving, hoping they end things instead, start to think about whether you still want to be in the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you fall back in love?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Buchwald thinks that you can fall back in love sometimes. But first of all ask whether doing so is the right move for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAsk yourself: Do I want to move towards this person? Do I want them to know me?\u201d Buchwald says. \u201cAm I interested in knowing who they are now? Am I willing to be emotionally honest and work on what created the distance? And are they willing to do the same?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Think about whether you\u2019re both willing to put the work in \u2014 this is just as important as feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n

He suggests looking at patterns over the time, speaking honestly with your partner and seeking professional counselling if need be.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42794,"featured_media":116536,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[6939,2723],"yoast_head":"\n5 Subtle Signs You May Be Falling Out of Love With Your Partner, According to an Expert \u2014 and Whether the Relationship Can Be Saved<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Worried about whether your partner is 'the one?' \u2014 this is how to know when you're falling out of love, according to an expert\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/5-subtle-signs-you-may-be-falling-out-of-love-with-your-partner-according-to-an-expert-and-whether-the-relationship-can-be-saved\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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