A relationship should feel like a support system, a safe haven, and a place to express yourself openly without being mocked or judged. Settling for less than you deserve by staying in a dead end or unsatisfying relationship will only make you feel more isolated and alone. If a relationship affects your mental sanity, disrupts your inner peace, corrodes your self-esteem, and generally makes you feel more negative than positive, you should either let the relationship go or seek help in improving your relationship. People seek relationships in order to feel happy, accepted, and complete, but when you feel any of the following emotions, ask yourself, “What’s the point of staying in a relationship that’s doing more harm than good?” While no relationship is perfect, you still shouldn’t settle for a relationship that always makes you feel any of the following emotions:

1. Neglected

One of the greatest feelings in a relationship is knowing that someone cares about you and wants to make you happy. Feeling neglected in a relationship or feeling like you’re left to fend for yourself is not a characteristic of any relationship that is worth sticking around for. A good partner will care about your needs and will strive to make you as happy as you make them.

2. Alone

Companionship is what a relationship is all about. If you feel like you are alone all the time, ask yourself why you’re even staying. If your partner is always leaving you to hang out with friends and forgetting that you have needs too, consider moving on.

3. Belittled

A partner should love and appreciate you, shortcomings and all. If your partner always points out your flaws in order to make them feel better about themselves, it’s high time you find someone who’s more accepting of what you have to offer.

4. Afraid

A relationship is supposed to be a safe place in which you feel protected from the harsh realities of the world. If you feel like you are living in constant fear of abuse or disrespect, or generally don’t feel safe with your partner, you need to break free before the problem escalates.

5. Like walking on eggshells

If you feel like you are constantly on edge around your partner for fear of angry outbursts, accusations, or insults, this relationship is extremely unhealthy. You should be comfortable around your partner and not feel like you have to constantly monitor your actions in order to prevent a blowout.

6. Unworthiness

A healthy relationship will make you feel confident and secure within your own skin. Feeling unattractive or undesirable as a result of your relationship is not a good sign that you’re with the right person. Your confidence should never be lacking as a result of your partner’s words or actions.

7. Inferior

Feeling powerless, inferior, or like you have no voice in your relationship is always a red flag. You should not lose your assertiveness or opinion as a result of your relationship. A relationship should feel like an equal partnership, not a struggle for control.

8. Taken advantage of

If you feel taken advantage of in your relationship, or your partner makes you feel used, you aren’t being treated in a way that you deserve. Whether it be financially, emotionally, physically, or mentally, feeling like your partner is only with you based on the benefits you provide them is selfish to say the least.