22/09/2025
Latest Update to the Adjustment Guidance Blog: https://adjustmentguidance.com/how-to-know-when-a-relationship-is-worth-fighting-for/
Every relationship experiences ups and downs. When things get really bad or have been difficult for a while, deciding whether to leave or stay can be challenging. If your relationship no longer offers growth and support, this may be a temporary breakdown or a sign that it has run its course. A lack of respect and no intimacy make this decision even more complex. It might be helpful to know that most relationships have periods of closeness and distance. It is also natural to feel like giving up if respect and intimacy are lacking. Respect and intimacy are often cited as the foundation of a healthy relationship, but their absence doesn’t always mean the relationship is over. Why and how respect and intimacy faded in the relationship is an important factor in determining if the relationship is worth saving. Prolonged periods of stress, unresolved conflict, or unmet needs can erode intimacy and decrease respect. The key to fixing things is for both partners to be willing to do the work. Both partners need to be honest with themselves about their willingness to do the work to save the relationship.
Something that often surprises the couples I work with is the fact that most relationships require about 6 months of work with at least one partner willing to go first. This means one partner has to make the initial sacrifice and give their partner something meaningful. I always have at least one big ask at the beginning of the therapy process to serve as proof of concept. I mix in one on one sessions and joint sessions to ensure that each partner has space to vent and release anger. Having a private space to express negative feelings is essential. Relearning how to have generosity and patience with each other is a process and achievable. Some couples are able to do this on their own through honest conversation and shared commitment to repairing the relationship, others need support. Whether couples do this on their own or with help, finding common ground is essential. Where are you still functioning as a team? Are you co-parenting, caring for a pet, working towards a shared financial goal? Is there a shared goal worth fighting for?
Are respect and intimacy truly gone, or are they buried under resentment? I find that, with a lot of couples, unpacking resentment and addressing the issues that have created conflict reveals that there is a spark of love underneath the pain. Love isn’t enough on its own, but it can be an excellent motivator in the rebuilding process. With shared goals and love, we have a foundation for rebuilding trust, vulnerability, and emotional safety. All three are necessary for rebuilding intimacy. That is another part of big asks: it gives us space to show that we will do what we commit to doing for each other. These examples of trustworthiness are essential in the process because there will be backslides. Progress is not a straight line because we are unlearning negative automatic responses. As we do the work to change, we also need the grace and understanding that we will make mistakes. We are not going for perfection but rather steady progress.
It is important to note that not every relationship is safe. If communication has become abusive and you’re experiencing manipulation, cohesion, and ongoing betrayal, staying may not be safe or healthy. Fighting for the relationship should never mean sacrificing your emotional or physical well-being. Your safety must come first. If you are safe and have a shared goal, the lack of intimacy and respect is either the beginning of the end or the beginning of the work to repair the relationship. If both partners are willing to do the work, there is hope. If you’re unsure where your partner is, ask them. The ability to talk openly about where the relationship is can often spark a commitment to change. If you’re unsure where you are, talk to someone and explore your feelings. Knowing if you want to do the work is a big part of the process. Even if there are shared values, they might not be enough. Know that you deserve to make a decision that protects and honors your well-being.
Every relationship experiences ups and downs. When things get really bad or have been difficult for a while, deciding whether to leave or stay can be challenging. If your relationship no longer offers growth and support, this may be a temporary breakdown or a sign that it has run its course. A lack....