A European Journal of Population study highlights numerous breakup factors, including financial discrepancies and excessive closeness.
However, the most perplexing aspect lies in navigating the ambiguous pre-breakup phase: initiating separation, expressing emotions tactfully and easing transition.
Recognizing subtle behaviors in female partners contemplating departure can provide invaluable insight.
Here are 7 signs that a woman may be considering leaving her relationship:
1. She stops voicing concerns or seeking clarification.
This subtle change is often a key indicator in relationships that are nearing their end. One or both individuals might be emotionally distant, subconsciously detaching from each other, leading to a drop in open communication, curiosity, and even grievances, replaced by a pattern of discomforting silence and trivial exchanges.
Typically, individuals who feel dissatisfied in their relationship—particularly in long-term or committed ones—will share their feelings and frustrations before they are ready to call it quits. The critical question is: Was their partner truly attentive?
At this point, when a woman is genuinely contemplating departure, she ceases to inquire, raise questions, or articulate her discontent regarding their relationship troubles.
They’ve arrived at a stage where they feel ignored, breaking a fundamental communication link essential to healthy relationships, as highlighted by 2023 research. At this point, they lose the desire to plead for attention or care.
2. She stops informing you about her life, aspirations, or plans.
This may seem straightforward, but it’s often overlooked by partners caught up in work or family pressures. If a woman isn’t sharing updates about her life, it likely indicates she isn’t invested in doing so.
We naturally share our joys with loved ones; it’s human instinct to seek connection, community, and shared moments.
When your partner consistently chooses not to share their achievements or keeps exciting plans to themselves, it often signals that they don’t envision you being part of their future when those plans come to fruition.
3. She ignores missed calls.
If your partner consistently fails to return your missed calls, it’s likely because they deliberately chose to ignore them.
In healthy, committed partnerships, individuals maintain open communication even during challenging times. Conversely, partners who are disengaged, uncertain about their relationship, or uncommitted tend to do the opposite—they withdraw, isolate themselves, or refuse to communicate, intentionally or unintentionally creating distance.
4. She stops spending time with your friends and family.
Social psychologist Theresa E. DiDonato, Ph.D., emphasizes that your partner’s family’s views of you significantly influence not only future family gatherings but also the overall health of your relationship.
If your partner stops putting effort into seeing and communicating with your friends and family, it’s likely they no longer feel the need to maintain that connection, present themselves positively, or expend energy trying to please you. This behavior often stems from a desire to protect their own space rather than from any malicious intent.
Partners who intentionally distance themselves from your social circle show a lack of interest in fostering a healthy sense of connection and community, which is a significant red flag.
5. There’s an unexpectedly noticeable decline in intimacy.
Given the damaging societal pressures surrounding physical intimacy, particularly for women, it’s not unusual for some to mistakenly “withhold” intimacy to communicate with a partner who seems distant. This pattern in relationships is deeply toxic and perpetuates the harmful belief that women are less interested in intimacy than men.
The truth is, there are countless reasons a woman might not desire physical intimacy, including her health, emotional state, and even her feelings towards her partner. While a lack of intimacy over a period doesn’t necessarily mean a relationship is ending, it can be a good opportunity for partners to reflect on their feelings.
Regarding emotional expression and overall relationship satisfaction, women often perceive their intimacy through a more negative lens compared to men, who tend to have a more positive outlook.
A study from Pepperdine University’s Journal of Communication Research found that women prioritized support from their partners, while men valued nonverbal affection and verbal affirmations more highly.
Are you anticipating physical intimacy with your partner while not providing support in other areas of your life together?
Do you feel bitterness towards your partner merely because of a lapse in physical closeness? Taking time for self-reflection can benefit everyone involved.
6. Her financial behaviors change
Experts, including those behind a study in the Journal of Consumer Research, contend that “financial infidelity” can be just as damaging to relationships as cheating. If your partner begins to alter, conceal, or mislead you regarding their financial activities, they are undermining the trust you have established.
Additionally, some experts believe that when women adjust their spending patterns as a subtle precursor to ending a relationship, they may cut back on expenses related to shared living or self-care, instead choosing to save for a fresh start in their lives.
7. She desires personal time away from you.
As stated by psychotherapist and relationship specialist Deborah Krevalin, LPC, LMHC, a partner who is falling out of love and contemplating ending the relationship is often caught up in their thoughts.
They are not only reflecting on their emotional changes but also preparing for a breakup that necessitates open dialogue and honesty.
Being around their partner, who might be a factor in their changed feelings, can create discomfort, leading them to seek more time alone or with friends instead.
They may stop inviting you to join them for errands, limit evening time together, or no longer plan outings.
If you observe these changes, especially from a female partner, it could be a signal to decide: either communicate and work towards restoring a healthy relationship, or choose to part ways.