Struggle love” is a relationship dynamic where partners stay together despite facing numerous hardships and fights. It is also often characterised by a one-sided effort and a lack of genuine partnership.
That moment when you know it’s not working, but you keep hoping for the best, your relationship has moved from being healthy to a state of struggle.
The idea that we have to fight for love, lose ourselves and hold on to what we once had has to be ditched.
Oftentimes, people struggle in love until one partner decides to end things. It’s the partner who rarely invest in the relationship that moves on first.
Why do people remain in a struggle love?
- Fear of the unknown( The devil I know is better than the devil I don’t know
- Starting all over again
- Fear of being lonely
- The benefits they enjoy from the relationship
- What will people say syndrome
Key characteristics of struggle love include:
One-sided effort:
One partner does most of the work to keep the relationship afloat, emotionally, financially, or practically.
Lack of reciprocity:
There’s a significant lack of “give and take” in the relationship, with one partner consistently needing to sacrifice or compromise.
Ongoing struggles:
Recurring issues like financial problems, emotional unavailability, or infidelity mark the relationship.
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Enabling:
One partner may inadvertently enable the other’s negative behaviours or lack of responsibility.
Romanticization:
There’s a tendency to romanticise or justify the difficulties, often overlooking the detrimental impact on mental and emotional well-being.
While the concept of staying together through hardship isn’t new, the term “struggle love” highlights the one-sided nature and potential for unhealthy dynamics within such relationships.
If you have experienced the above in your relationship, you may have to evaluate yourself and see if it’s worth the effort.
Love is meant to be enjoyed. There will be crazy days, but it shouldn’t be every day. So take a deep breath and have a rethink. Are you loving, or are you struggling?
