5 ways to deal with a possessive partner
Overeating can make your relationship toxic, and being with a possessive partner for a long time can end up damaging your psyche. A little obsession is acceptable in any relationship, but dating someone who is unhealthily possessive and always clingy is a big red flag.
Do you find yourself at the end of pointless interrogations? Does your partner have a habit of checking your phone?
Do you keep having to explain your whereabouts? If the answer to all of these is yes, then chances are you’re stuck with a possessive partner.
Everyone craves to be loved, protected, and cared for in a relationship, but sometimes these perfectly healthy traits reach a level where they can be quite sickening.
Obsession, if left unaddressed, tends to suck all the love out of relationships, leaving one partner forever suspicious and the other yearning for space. Don’t let jealousy and obsession ruin your relationship.
Here are 5 ways on how to deal with a possessive partner
1. Say it out loud.
Understanding why someone behaves a certain way will help you deal with the person better. Think about it – what makes your partner so possessive and overbearing?
Is it related to past relationships, a difficult childhood, or just very low self-esteem?
Talk to him about his insecurities and fears and understand the cause. It’s a difficult conversation, but procrastinating will only make it worse.
Since you are the more stable and secure partner, you must help him/her overcome these insecurities and make him/her understand that there is nothing to worry about – only then will you be able to enjoy a healthy relationship.
2. Express your love.
We don’t know how a simple hug, an “I love you,” or a compliment can do wonders in our relationship—especially when dealing with an insecure partner.
If you love your partner, don’t be afraid to express your love, verbally and physically. Give your partner the reassurance they need and let them understand that you really care about the relationship the way it is.
You never know, showing expression might just help them overcome their fears and make them believe in the relationship more.
3. Get your partner involved.
The next time you go out with your group of friends, ask your partner to come too. Include him/her in your plans and let him/her see what your world is like.
The more you include them, the more secure your partner will feel in the relationship.
If your boyfriend has a problem with your male friends, get him to find them. Let him see for himself that you share a purely platonic relationship with them and nothing else. However, it’s best to keep lapsed friends out of these gatherings, because it’s never really well-received.
4. Communicate your discomfort.
We talked about expressing your love, but it’s also very important to express your discomfort when your partner is getting too overbearing.
Your partner needs to be made aware of the impact their controlling nature is having on you and the relationship. Tell him/her why you don’t approve of them checking your phone, choosing your outfit, or doubting you every time you make friends.
Don’t expect to take on the burden of their insecurities because in your attempt to be the more mature one, the last thing you want is for you to take it all on and have it affect your sanity.
5. Control your anger.
Dealing with a possessive partner can be difficult. As you struggle to pay attention to your actions, it’s natural to get irritated at times.
However, if your partner is yelling at you, try not to react in anger. Such arguments only tend to make matters worse.
The best way to deal with this is to stay calm and let the moment pass. Bring up the subject when your partner has cooled down – he/she will be in a better condition to understand and absorb what you have to say.
There’s a difference between being loved and being controlled – don’t let your possessive partner make you believe otherwise.
At the end of the day, everyone has a threshold, and if you feel like you’ve tried your best to make them feel safe and you still don’t see a change in their behavior, then it’s best to step out of the relationship to resign.
It takes two to make a relationship work, and if your partner is unreasonable, it’s better if you stay away from them.
