What are the signs of possession in a relationship? Possession is defined as when one person or thing controls or dominates another. As you read through this list, try to see if any of these signs are present in your relationship.
If so, it may be time for you to take action, because signs of possession should never be ignored! Here are ten of the most common signs of possession in a relationship:
Table of Contents
1) Jealousy
One of the most common signs of possession is jealousy. If your partner exhibits this behavior, it may be a sign that he or she feels insecure and possessive in the relationship.
While some jealousy is normal, some partners are consumed by it. This can look like constantly monitoring your online activity, accusing you of cheating every time you go out with friends, and/or tracking where you are at all times.
If this sounds like something your partner does on a regular basis, it’s important to have a conversation about boundaries so that both partners know how much freedom each person has in the relationship.
Most people need some form of space from one another now and then, and constant jealousy can be a sign that possession may already exist in your relationship.
2) Stops you from achieving your goals
As you work toward your goals and personal growth, it’s important to have a supportive partner who will cheer you on.
Some partners may be more reserved when it comes to their support for fear of being too possessive or losing their sense of self. But the truth is, we all need someone we can rely on during difficult times.
If your significant other has ever stopped you from achieving something because they felt threatened by your career or social life, this is definitely concerning.
When one person starts feeling threatened by how much time the other spends away from them, they can start acting possessive. This includes sabotaging plans, such as not letting them go out with friends or spend time with family or others who may be supportive of their success.
Although it can be difficult to recognize when you are in a situation like this, the sooner one partner realizes that possession is beginning to form within the relationship, the better off both individuals will be!
3) They don’t make their own plans
When you are in a relationship with someone, it is important to feel like an equal. This means that both partners should be able to make plans for the future together as well as apart!
For instance, if your partner has ever wanted to plan something special and then decided not to go at the last minute because he/she “has too much going on” or doesn’t want other people tagging along, this could be a sign of possession!
A healthy relationship involves one person’s decisions affecting another just as much as his or her own life does. Without this sense of mutual reciprocity within the partnership, there will always be room for possession, control, or manipulation.
It’s important that your partner does their own thing from time to time and doesn’t just focus on what you’re doing. This means that they can go out with friends, see their family, and/or spend the weekend by themselves without having to check in every hour.
Make sure your partner understands how important it is for you both to have lives outside of the relationship. Otherwise, possessive tendencies may already be present without you two having realized it!
4) They visit unexpectedly
When you are in a long-distance relationship, it can be hard to know when your partner is on their way home.
However, there should always be an agreement between both partners about how much freedom each person has within the relationship and what kind of contact they will have while apart.
If your significant other seems like he or she doesn’t respect this boundary at all times – by showing up unannounced without calling first – they may be a little possessive!
This includes stopping by early in the morning after spending time with someone else, not letting you spend any extra time away from them before coming back for visits, etc.
While some people don’t mind having surprise visitors every once in a while, these impromptu visits can become possessive very quickly. If your significant other is always dropping by after spending time with someone else or without letting you have a moment of space, it could indicate that possession may already be taking place within the relationship!
5) They check your phone
It can be hard to know when boundaries should be set in a relationship. However, one of the most important ones that should never be crossed is privacy!
If your significant other seems like he or she doesn’t respect this boundary – by checking up on you or going through your things without asking first – they may have some possessive tendencies.
One of the most common forms of betraying your privacy is by checking your phone. Whether it’s picking up the device to see who you’ve been texting or going through photos, this can be a sign that possession is already taking place within your relationship.
If they seem like they don’t trust you and think of every excuse for why they need to check in on what you’re doing, there may already be some control and manipulation going on in your relationship.
This shows a lack of trust and implies that you don’t have the capacity to make decisions on your own. While some couples may be okay with this level of trust, it is important for both partners to respect one another’s privacy and independence.
6) They hate if you ask for space
If your partner seems like he or she can’t stand you taking a moment away from the relationship – even if they do so as well on occasion – possession already exists in the partnership.
Some people have a hard time being apart from their significant other without feeling insecure about what they’re doing while apart. This insecurity only leads to more anxiety and possessiveness within the partnership, and that can become toxic very quickly!
If your partner gets angry whenever you want to take a day alone every now and then, they could be a little controlling and possessive.
This shows an inability for them to respect your independence and implies that they don’t trust you. While some couples may be okay with this type of behavior, it is important for both partners to give the other space.
7) They control what you wear
If your significant other is constantly trying to control what you wear, how much skin you show, or picks out your outfits for you, he may be possessive over you.
While some people like having their partner’s opinion on what they’re wearing, it’s an issue if that person is always controlling what you put on. If this starts happening every day, there could definitely be something more serious at hand.
This trait may show up more in the summer when it’s hot out and you’re more likely to wear less clothing.
While some people may be fine with their partner dressing them every once in a while, this is something that should never happen without asking for permission or having an open dialogue about what you feel comfortable wearing.
If your significant other tries telling you how to dress on a daily without respecting your boundaries, there could be some form of control within the relationship.
This shows they don’t trust you enough to make decisions on your own and implies that they want to claim ownership over everything – including your body! While some couples are okay with picking outfits for each other, if this happens often, then possession already exists within the partnership.
8) They text you constantly
If your partner feels the need to text you throughout each hour of every day, possession may already exist within the relationship.
While some people are okay with their significant other checking in on them from time to time – especially if they’re apart for a long period of time – this can become an issue when it starts happening all day.
If your partner texts you constantly without respecting and not interrupting your time, there could be something more serious going on beneath the surface.
This tends to happen because they feel insecure about being away from you. While some couples are fine with texting multiple times throughout the day, it becomes problematic if that person is always trying to contact you without giving you space to enjoy your time.
If this happens on a daily basis, especially if the texts are about what you are doing or where you are, your partner may be acting a little possessive. This shows they don’t trust you while you’re apart and implies that they want to claim ownership over you.
Not all couples are okay with communicating throughout each hour of every day, but texting a couple of times a day to check in is not usually a sign of possession.
9) They always need to know what you’re thinking
If your partner is constantly asking what you’re thinking and feeling, possession may already exist between the two of you. This tends to happen because they want daily reassurance that everything’s going well within the relationship.
While not all partners like having open communication about how they feel at any given moment, this often becomes problematic when it happens all day without giving one another separate spaces and trust that both people understand where everyone stands!
This shows they don’t trust that you’re not thinking about ending things and implies that they want to claim ownership over everything – including what’s going on in your mind throughout each day!
While some couples are okay with one another knowing where their partner stands at all times, possession can arise when this happens every hour of every day without giving either person space to think freely!
10) They share everything on social media
If your significant other shares everything about you on social media, possession may already exist within the relationship. This tends to happen because they want everyone else to know that you’re together and that you belong with him.
Not all couples will mind their significant other constantly sharing pictures of the two of you together, but if it seems like they are doing so to show off to others, then this could be a sign of possession.
While some people are fine posting photos from time to time, there shouldn’t be an issue as long as both partners feel comfortable being tagged in these posts. If your partner is always tagging you in photos and never asking your permission before doing so, there might be elements of possession within the relationship!
Conclusion
These signs of possession can be rather hard to spot because they can easily blend into everyday life. However, if you feel like your partner exhibits these signs or any other similar ones on a regular basis, there’s definitely something you need to address.
Every couple has its own unique dynamic, and these signs don’t necessarily mean that you should break up right away. However, it is crucial for all relationships – platonic and romantic alike – to have respect in order to thrive.
