Relationships never go as easily as people expect them to, and they can sometimes become extremely complicated and unpredictable.
Many break-ups occur because couples are incompatible, but sometimes couples part because one party has done something that the other believes is unforgivable.
What are some things you could never forgive in a relationship?
Every person is different, and to one person some things are unforgivable, while another person may be able to forgive.
However, a majority of couples agree that these three things are some things that they could never forgive in a relationship: repeatedly cheating, any type of physical or mental abuse, and lying on a regular basis.
Here is an in-depth overview of things that people could never forgive in a relationship, and more.
Table of Contents
One act of infidelity might be forgivable
If a person in a relationship cheats once, that single act of infidelity might be forgivable in some cases.
Cheating breaks trust, and trust is something that takes time to regain, which means that if a person cheats several times, the relationship is likely not going to survive.
Cheating even once is a major violation of trust, but cheating several times means that the person is more concerned with their own desires than their partner’s, and perhaps they’re better off single anyway.
What if your significant other cheats with a family member or friend?
In some cases, a person can forgive one single act of infidelity with a stranger, but if you discover that your partner has cheated with one of your friends or family members, then this can make forgiveness nearly impossible.
There is an unspoken code, even if you two break up, that family members and friends are off-limits when it comes to becoming romantically involved.
So, if your significant other cheats with a friend or family member, then that is likely at the top of the list of things that you could never forgive in a relationship.
Any type of abuse is a huge no-no
Whether a person is being physically, verbally, or emotionally abused by their partner, no type of abuse is acceptable.
While some people are willing to allow one isolated event of abuse to slide, if the person continues to be abusive, then that is something unforgivable.
People in relationships should treat their partners as they would want to be treated, and no one wants to be abused in any manner.
Lying on a regular basis is unacceptable
Everyone tells small white lies from time to time but lying can become problematic when a person does it on a regular basis.
If a person lies to their partner and others all the time, then how will their partner know when they’re being honest?
Lying, like cheating, is a violation of trust, because no one can trust a chronic or pathological liar, and without trust, there is no relationship.
What is a pathological liar?
Although there is no official diagnosis for pathological lying, this condition is recognized and treated by psychiatrists.
Pathological liars lie compulsively, and often for no good reason.
They lie so frequently and with no regard to how their lies will affect others, that they’re often unable to sustain serious relationships as a result.
What about chronic neediness?
Chronic neediness is another thing that many couples can agree is unforgivable in a relationship, especially if the neediness is constant and extreme.
Neediness can really zap a person’s desire to remain with his or her significant other because the needy person takes up all their partner’s time and patience.
There are situations when relationships can survive with a needy partner, but if the neediness is severe and doesn’t improve, then even if the other partner wants to continue the relationship, it can be nearly impossible to remain sane doing so.
Is jealousy a reason to break up with someone you love?
Jealousy can certainly be a reason to break up with someone you love, because extreme jealousy can cause frequent arguments and possibly even lead to violence, in some cases.
If a person is slightly insecure and needs occasional reassurance, then that’s totally different than someone who is constantly in your face accusing you of seeing someone else.
In fact, constantly being accused of cheating can push a person into the arms of someone else, because they no longer feel like they can tolerate the relationship with the jealous person.
When one person in a relationship is controlling
A controlling mate can be very difficult to deal with because most people expect to continue to be individuals when they enter into a relationship.
Sometimes, however, a person, usually a male, feels that they must have control over their partners, which can really become a problem.
While some people will allow a small amount of control in a relationship, when a person’s significant other attempts to control every aspect of their life, it can be something unforgivable.
Failure to be there when you need him
If your significant other is never there for you when you need him, such as if you’re grieving the death of a loved one, or you lost your job, then that is certainly unforgivable.
It’s understandable that extenuating circumstances could have kept him from being there a time or two, but if he’s always physically and emotionally unavailable, then that’s not conducive to a happy and lasting relationship.
What if your significant other shuts down and refuses to communicate?
Communication is the key to making any relationship work, and if your significant other completely shuts down and refuses to communicate, then it would make it difficult to have a happy relationship.
So, if you have made several unsuccessful attempts to get your partner to communicate and serious problems have not been fixed, then you may have no other choice than to leave because he or she is showing you that fixing your problems isn’t a priority.
The importance of accepting responsibility for your behavior
If two people are in a relationship and one of them regularly fails to accept responsibility for their negative behavior, then this could become a problem.
For instance, if your boyfriend is always in a cranky mood and takes his bad mood out on you but never apologizes, sooner or later, you’re going to get tired of him treating you this way and start resenting him.
If it were vice versa, you can be certain that he wouldn’t accept that type of treatment, and neither should you.
He mistreats your children from a previous relationship
If you’re a single mom who has been dating a seemingly nice guy and you feel he’s been treating your children in a brusque, mean, or unfair manner, then this is a major reason to break things off.
He should have known upfront that you and your children were a package deal if he wanted to be with you, but your children don’t deserve to be mistreated and you shouldn’t condone or allow it.
Breaking up with your boyfriend who mistreats your children is probably one of the best things you could ever do.
He’s embarrassed to take you around his friends or family
Whether he believes you’re not as attractive as the women he usually dates, or you’re heavier than he’d like you to be, it doesn’t matter, because being embarrassed by you shows you what he truly thinks about you.
Even if your boyfriend doesn’t flat-out tell you that he thinks you’re fat or not quite pretty, you’re no fool and you can tell if he’s acting differently whenever the two of you are around his friends and family.
If you’re with someone who is ashamed to be seen with you, that’s a major reason to never forgive him.
Everyone seems to agree on the major things that they could never forgive in a relationship, but others might come up with additional things.
Every person is different, and while some people take absolutely no shit at all, others might accept a few things without breaking off their relationship.
If you feel that something is unforgivable in a relationship, then that’s how you feel and it’s valid, so you should never try to stick out a relationship just because of what others might do or say, as you should do what you feel is best and what makes you happy.
