When it comes to relationships, most of us have several dealbreakers. Everything from bad hygiene to chewing with your mouth open could be enough to make you end a relationship, even if the connection is strong.
Researchers have identified one of the biggest relationship dealbreakers. Can you guess what it is? Let’s take a closer look.
A Common Dealbreaker in Relationships, According to Research
A 2021 study of more than 1,400 participants found that the most common dealbreaker in a relationship was clinginess. Lack of personal space and time was another common complaint — both of which can stem from clinginess.
It’s worth noting that the study only included participants from China and Greece, so there may be some variation among Americans. That being said, I’m sure we can all agree that a clingy significant other can be off-putting, and at times, insufferable.
How to Prevent This From Affecting Your Relationship
Some of us can be a little clingy, even if we don’t mean to be. Although this can seem sweet during the honeymoon phase, wanting to be with our parents or talk to them all the time wears off for most of us.
There are a number of things you can do to make sure that your clinginess doesn’t take a negative toll on your relationship. Here are some ideas:
- Don’t forget to take time for yourself. Self-care is important in every relationship. Designate a certain time to read a book, watch a favorite show, or take a bath instead of calling or texting your significant other.
- Be sure to spend time with your friends and family members. Not only does this ensure that you’re continuing to have a life outside of your significant other, but spending time with your loved ones will help you keep your mind off of them.
- Take part in your hobbies. Whether it’s playing sports, attending book club, going hiking, taking yoga classes or something else, it’s healthy to have hobbies of your own. This is another way to keep your mind off your significant other and focus on yourself.
- Give your partner some breathing room when you’re together. If you love affection, it can be easy to want to feel glued to your partner. But giving them some breathing room can go a long way when it comes to not being clingy.
Sometimes, people tend to be clingy because they’re codependent. If you think this may be you, it might be worthwhile to consider therapy to figure out a way to overcome the issue.
The Bottom Line
We all have our own dealbreakers, but clinginess can be a huge one. Figuring out ways to give each other some space in your relationship can help make for a healthier, happier, and hopefully long-lasting relationship.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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From The Good Men Project on Medium
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Photo credit: Candice Picard on Unsplash