Having a partner who is emotionally unavailable can be a tough and emotionally draining experience. Such partners have a hard time expressing their feelings and emotions, even to the people they care about. They might come off as distant or aloof, leaving their partner feeling neglected or unloved.
Here are some of the challenges you might face in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner:
1. Difficulty with communication
Communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship. If your partner is unable to communicate their feelings or emotions, it can lead to misunderstandings and conflict. You might feel like you are walking on eggshells around them because you don’t know how they will react to your efforts to connect emotionally.
2. Feeling ignored or neglected
An emotionally unavailable partner might not be able to meet your emotional needs or show affection in the way you expect. You might feel like you are putting more into the relationship than they are, leaving you feeling unappreciated or ignored.
3. Lack of intimacy
Emotional intimacy is an essential aspect of any romantic relationship. If your partner is emotionally unavailable, this can lead to a lack of physical intimacy too. They might struggle to open up or connect with you, which can drive a wedge between you both.
4. Difficulty building trust
Trust is earned in a relationship. If your partner is emotionally unavailable, it might be hard for you to trust them completely. You might feel like you are never getting the full picture, or that they are holding something back from you.
5. Feeling lonely
Being in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner can be a lonely experience. You might feel like you are in a one-sided relationship, where you are doing all the emotional heavy lifting.
It’s important to remember that dealing with an emotionally unavailable partner isn’t your responsibility. You can encourage them to seek help, but ultimately, it’s up to them to do the work to become emotionally available. If your partner is unable or unwilling to meet your emotional needs, it might be time to consider whether this relationship is right for you.
9 Things That Happen When You Ignore an Emotionally Unavailable Partner (And How to Get it Right)
Ignoring an emotionally unavailable partner might seem like the easiest solution to cope with their behavior. However, ignoring them will eventually cause a breakdown in your relationship. Here are some of the things that can happen when you ignore an emotionally unavailable partner and how to get it right:
You might start feeling resentful
Ignoring your partner’s emotional unavailability may seem like the best option in the short term, but in the long run, it can cause deep-seated resentment that may ultimately ruin your relationship. Ignoring your partner’s unresponsiveness to your emotional needs can make you feel devalued and unimportant, leading to feelings of anger and frustration. Resentment towards your partner could manifest in a variety of ways – from being short-tempered to even beginning to withhold affection yourself. Addressing emotional unavailability early in the relationship through communication is essential to avoid resentment from building up and minimize the chance of destroying the relationship.
Your partner may reciprocate the same behavior
Ignoring your partner’s emotional needs in a relationship can lead to disastrous outcomes. One of them is that your partner may eventually start reflecting the same behavior as you. It’s essential to keep in mind that emotions are contagious, and if you’re distant and withdrawn, your partner might follow suit. Rather than ignoring the issue, take the initiative to work through the problem and encourage your partner’s emotional growth. Healthy communication can help break the cycle of disconnection and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
You may become emotionally withdrawn
To avoid being hurt, it’s natural to resort to emotional withdrawal when you’re in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner. However, slowly becoming emotionally detached from the relationship only serves to further the distance and disconnection with your partner. Emotional withdrawal could lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and emotional deprivation. It is essential to recognize that ignoring the issue will not lead to a solution, and as such, communication is key. Speak up about your needs and explain how your partner’s emotional unavailability is making you feel. It is only through open communication that you can hope to build a healthy and strong relationship.
The issue may never be addressed
Ignoring your partner’s emotional unavailability can mean that you never address the underlying issue, leading to an unending cycle of distance and isolation. Failing to confront the issue means that nothing will be done to address it, and both you and your partner will continue to suffer in the silence of emotional unavailability. Ignoring the problem could ultimately lead to the failure of the relationship, as the distance continues to grow until it becomes insurmountable. It is essential to tackle the problem head-on by engaging in open communication about your feelings and needs. Only through communication can you hope to address the issue and move forward toward a healthier and stronger relationship.
You may miss the opportunity to address the problem
Failing to address the emotional unavailability of your partner means that you miss the chance to express how their behavior is impacting you emotionally. Ignoring the problem may mean that you never get the opportunity to grow and become closer to your partner. You might miss out on the chance to learn more about their feelings and how they perceive you in the context of the relationship. Engaging in dialogue about your partner’s emotional unavailability may open the door to better communication and improved emotional intimacy. It also puts you in a position to work together to create a healthier relationship where both parties feel valued and connected.
The relationship may fall apart
Ignoring an emotionally unavailable partner is a clear sign of a lack of real connection in the relationship, which can eventually lead to resentment, frustration, and even heartbreak. If you continue to ignore the issue rather than face it head-on, the underlying problem will continue to fester, creating a wider gap between you and your partner. The disconnect between you would become unbearable, eventually leading to an ending of the relationship. While it may be difficult to confront the issue, it’s essential to acknowledge your feelings and work to improve the situation. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the relationship may still not work out as hoped, but it is important to respect yourself enough to choose a relationship where you feel valued and cared for.
Your emotional needs remain unfulfilled
When you’re in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner, you might have an emotional void that remains unfilled. This issue can lead to feeling unloved, unsupported, disconnected, or even devalued. The relationship may feel empty and may lack the necessary emotional support and depth to make it fulfilling. Over time, this lack of satisfaction can take a toll on your emotional well-being and general health. Recognizing the issue and attempting to address it in a healthy way can help you feel heard and valued in your relationship. However, remember that not all relationships can be salvaged, and it’s okay to no longer continue in a relationship that does not fully meet your needs.
You may start feeling a lack of self-worth
When you ignore an emotionally unresponsive partner, you might start feeling unimportant and devalued in the relationship. The lack of emotional connection and communication can make you feel like you are not a priority. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, self-doubt, and low self-esteem, leaving you with a sense of emptiness in your relationship. By ignoring the issue, you are allowing your partner to continue neglecting your emotional needs and not valuing your presence in their life. It’s important to address the problem as soon as possible and communicate your feelings and needs to your partner. Your emotional well-being and self-worth are crucial, and you deserve to have a partner who values and cherishes you.
You may be missing the full picture
Ignoring an emotionally unavailable partner’s behavior may prevent you from identifying and addressing the root cause of their emotional distance. By ignoring the behavior instead of speaking up and encouraging healthy communication, you might be missing out on the opportunity to uncover deeper underlying issues that your partner may be struggling with. These issues can only be resolved through open and honest communication, and ignoring them may only create additional distance and misunderstandings. Therefore, it’s essential to approach your partner with empathy and understanding and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings in a non-judgmental way. Tackling the problem head-on and engaging in healthy communication can help you both address underlying issues and work towards building a stronger and healthier relationship.
How to get it right?
To get it right, it’s essential to communicate with your partner clearly, precisely, and in a non-confrontational manner. Express what you need and listen to their response. Keep open communication with your partner to build intimacy and trust. Encourage them to seek help and make progress with a professional, but ultimately, focus on your own well-being and happiness.
