10 Signs It’s Worth Fixing Your Relationship Problems

Relationship stress can really drag you down. Something that’s supposed to be a source of joy in your life becomes something that gives you a headache and sometimes makes you want to run away.

When you’re embroiled in relationship problems it can be hard to know what to do. Is it worth saving your relationship? Or is all the pain and stress just not worth it? What are the signs your relationship is in trouble?

Not every struggling relationship is doomed to fail. Sometimes it’s worth fixing your relationship problems.

If you are wondering “how do I know if my relationship is worth saving”, here are 10 signs that it’s not time to throw in the towel yet:

1. You both want to work on it

This is the cornerstone when it comes to saving a relationship: You both want to work on your relationship problems.

If only one of you is committed to working things out, the power balance is uneven and it’s unlikely to end well. Fixing relationship issues might not be on the cards for you.

If you both genuinely want to fix your relationship problems, you’re already on the right track.

2. You make each other laugh

It sounds simple, but laughter is important.

How to know if your relationship is worth saving? If you can still make each other laugh and smile, there’s still joy in your relationship.

Someone who can make you laugh is someone who gets you and understands the way you think. It takes a certain level of comfort to be able to laugh together, and it’s a sign that you’re still comfortable with each other.

3. You can be honest without being mean

Fixing a broken relationship means some hard talks.

Is your relationship worth saving? If you and your partner can sit down and have honest, difficult conversations without resorting to lashing out at each other, you’ve got a good foundation for rebuilding.

Good communication is a skill. If you don’t have it, you can work on learning together.

Watch this video where Psychiatrist Willie Earley discusses truth telling in relationships:

4. You feel sick at the thought of leaving

You might think you want it to end, but how does it feel when you honestly consider walking out that door or watching them walk out, knowing it’s over?

Sometimes when your mind is awhirl with worries and pros and cons, it’s hard to see your true feelings buried in the chaos. Take a minute to visualize breaking up because of your relationship problems, in vivid detail. Check in how you really feel in your gut when you think about it.

If the thought makes you feel awful, perhaps you’re not ready to give up yet. Your relationship is worth saving.

5. You only think about breaking up when you’re frustrated

Wanting to break up is sometimes just a knee jerk reaction to frustration or anger due to relationship problems. If you enjoy being with your partner most of the time and only consider breaking up when you have a fight or they do something that winds you up, don’t give up yet.

If you only feel like you want to leave when a fight happens, the chances are that what you really want is for the problem to go away.

Thinking about how to fix relationship problems? Isolate what’s getting you so angry and find a way to work it out with your partner.

6. Your problems aren’t really with each other

Sometimes it feels like your relationship is a huge problem and you just want it to be over, but take a moment to ask: Are your problems really with each other?

It’s easy to project stress from other areas of your life onto your partner. Maybe you feel like you never see them, but the real problem is that you’re both overworked. Maybe you’re upset that you never go anywhere, but the real problem is that you don’t have enough money coming in.

Problems like these could happen with any partner, so rather than break up, try working together to make things better.

7. You genuinely enjoy each other’s company

How to know if a relationship is worth saving?

If a relationship is on the rocks it can be hard to spend time together. But if you’re genuinely enjoying time with your partner and problems are only flaring up intermittently, don’t throw in the towel just yet.

The times you enjoy together are a roadmap for what your relationship could be if you can sort out the issues that are causing tension between you. They’re also a reminder of what you enjoy about your partner, and what about your relationship is worth fighting for.

8. You can still see a future together

When you imagine your future, is your partner in it? Sometimes you feel angry and like you want them gone, but when you think about the future, they’re still there.

If you find yourself making plans for trips or nights out, talking to them about household projects, or even daydreaming about your future together, ask yourself if you really want that future without them.

9. You’re still a team

Maybe things are a little rough, and you’re fighting more than you used to, but are you still essentially a team? Do you still pull together when it comes to budgeting, household management, child rearing and big life decisions?

Little things count too of course: Are you still a team when it comes to cooking dinner or fixing the car? If you’re still working together on the big and the little things, there’s still a connection there.

If you want to know how to fix your relationship you must ensure you are still a team and not two separate units.

10. You’re still affectionate

Your words might be sharper than before and your stress levels might be on the rise, but do you still feel loved and cared for? Couples with deep-seated issues and relationship problems don’t usually hold hands, cuddle, or make small gestures like stroking the other’s hair or giving them a shoulder rub.

All it takes is a little effort in fixing problems in a relationship. If you’re still affectionate with each other, there’s still ease, connection, and a spark between you.

Only you can know for sure if your relationship problems are worth fixing. Don’t give up without some thought though – sometimes a seemingly broken relationship just needs a little tender loving care.

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Rachael Pace Author

Rachael Pace is a noted relationship writer associated with Marriage.com. She provides inspiration, support, and empowerment in the form of motivational articles and essays. Rachael enjoys studying the evolution of loving partnerships... Read more and is passionate about writing on them. She believes that everyone should make room for love in their lives and encourages couples to work on overcoming their challenges together. Read less

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When you and your partner talk about something important…

We listen with care — even hard talks feel safe and productive

We try to talk, but lately emotional closeness feels harder to reach

I want to be open, but part of me still guards my heart

Our discussions sometimes spiral or end unresolved

It’s hard to feel close because our physical intimacy hasn’t felt strong lately

We often see things differently about goals or priorities

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