Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
People Share 38 Incidents That Made Them Realize That Their Partner Was Not, In Fact, ‘The One’
Interview With Expert
Probably many of us have dreamt from our teen years to have a love story and live happily ever after as we have seen in films. However, as we grow a bit older, we understand that such perfect love stories that we always saw on TV don’t really exist. And to keep a relationship healthy and long-lasting, it requires a lot of effort from both of the partners.
However, sometimes it may seem that we have finally met the person with whom we are going to spend the rest of our lives. But well - all it takes is for them to do something that makes us immediately realize that this person is in fact, not “the one” for us.
If you enjoy stories on why somebody broke up - buckle up! One Reddit user started a thread online asking folks to share things that happened and led them to realize that their partner, in fact, is not their person after all.
More info: Reddit
This post may include affiliate links.
#2
When she introduced me to her rich ex-boyfriend
Which led her to reveal to me that she had actually sent him nudes during their prior relationship.
I didn't mind, though. He was her boyfriend before me, after all. Their past was their past and I was actually glad she trusted me with that information.
Then I asked her how come I hadn't gotten something like that yet and the answer was "well, maybe if you could afford me nice gifts I'd have sent you something by now"
Boy, did I IMMEDIATELY realize she was not the one.
Captain McSmoot 7 months ago
Wow. So she'll open up for money. There's a word for that. What is it?... Oh, that's right: prostitute. She's a prostitute.
Bored Panda got in touch with relationship coach Amie Leadingham and she shared a few common signs that a partner may, in fact, not be “the one":
“Not having similar life visions, core values, goals and priorities,” she stated. “If there are fundamental differences in what you both want out of life, this can lead to ongoing conflict and disagreements.”
Also, if there is a lack of emotional connection and intimacy. “Vulnerability creates connection, so if you don't feel seen, understood, and cherished by your partner, the relationship may not be fulfilling in the long run,” Leadingham emphasized.
#3
There were many moments, but this one was on of the few that stood out.
We were watching the Barbie movie. A double date, and due to my movie rewards I got all four tickets and got everyone discounted food. I was really excited for this movie too. It was all good until the about “depressed Barbie”. Basically a satire commercial about a Barbie that’s depressed.
My then boyfriend started laughing manically and pointed at me, saying “that’s her! That’s her !” Then leaned over me to try to get the other couple attention while gesturing at me. He was almost in tears like it was the biggest joke and I was the funniest punchline. I struggled so much with depression and having him just laugh at me, made that moment drag on. I realized throughout our 10 year relationship he’s never tried to understand me or my mental health but he thought my feelings were laughable, and deserved ridicule and tried to get others to join in… Something broke in me that night. I couldn’t really enjoy the rest of the movie and it’s one I’ll forever associate with that moment of hurt and embarrassment. I knew then that the person who truly loves me would never purposefully make feel that way.
Lila Allen 7 months ago
Um I think a lot of your depression might ease once you're away from that pathetic excuse for a human. You deserve so so so much better.
#4
He screamed at me in public in front of our friends when I beat him at a board game.
Charlotte Sandoval 7 months ago
I was told that before you get married you should do 3 things together. Build a piece of furniture, babysit a child, and play a board game. Each thing is supposed to reveal a hidden side so you can really know the person before you live together
She added that struggling to resolve conflicts in a healthy way may be a sign that your partner is not the right person for you. “All couples disagree at times, but an inability to work through issues collaboratively is a red flag. It is not only love that keeps a relationship together, it is how a couple fights and resolves their conflicts.”
And the last one - a lack of trust and honesty. “Trust is the foundation of any relationship. Secrets, lies and betrayals can erode the foundation of the relationship.”
Now, I am sure there are many people out there who understand that they are dating ‘not the one’ for them and feel unhappy, however are hesitant to end the relationship. Well, about that, Leadingham noted that it is essential to recognize and understand our own needs within a relationship. “Take the time to deeply reflect on which of your needs are not being fulfilled by your partner.”
#5
When she left me because I got sad that my friend died. We were engaged.
SheamusFanFrom1987 7 months ago
She wasn't the one, fella. It hurts now but you'll recover and find the one eventually.
#6
4 yrs ago when a fifteen year old girl DMed me on instagram after trying to find a way to contact me about how my bf (at the time) was begging her for nudes. yeah.
She explained that if, for example, your relationship is facing challenges in terms of intimacy, it’s possible that your partner is unaware of their shortcomings in this area. “It is your responsibility to clearly communicate your needs to your partner to ensure they are met.”
The relationship coach emphasized that we cannot expect our partners to intuitively know what we require without expressing it. “Have an honest conversation with your partner about your thoughts and feelings.”
And if after communicating, your needs are still not being met and you realize that this is a non-negotiable for you, it may be necessary to consider ending the relationship. “By doing so, you create space for someone who can truly fulfill your needs and contribute to your happiness,” Leadingham pointed out.
#7
When I realized he doesn't take no for an answer for ANYTHING.
#8
When I felt a sense of dread when coming home to her, or when I was at home and she was coming home to me. Wondering what triviality she would be angry about this time.
"Disembodied voice" 7 months ago
Understandable, if you feel exhausted around them and have to walk on egg shells then it's not a good relationship. I also found that out a little late with an ex...
#9
When I made him a surprise and I bought him some gym shorts and he didn’t like them and started to throw a tantrum in my face telling me like how dumb he looks in the shorts and how he would never wear them at all because “look at how stupid they are”. He then threw the package box in my face (and that was the moment I knew I had to run).
ॐBoyGanesh 7 months ago (edited)
WOW!!! Seems like the little guy was having some big emotions he couldn’t handle. Puberty is a tough & confusing time!!!
Finally, it’s no surprise that like everything else, there are quite a few misconceptions about finding ‘the one’.
The first misconception is that “there is a perfect person out there for everyone,” the relationship coach shared. “In reality, successful relationships take work, growth and commitment from both people.”
Another one is that when you meet 'the one', you will “just know”. “While some do experience love at first sight, for many it's a gradual process of building intimacy and compatibility,” she explained.
And well - if it’s “meant to be”, the relationship will be effortless. Not always. Leadingham emphasized that all couples face challenges and working through them together is what builds depth and resilience.
#10
When I found out that one of my close friends had suddenly died and I burst into tears, to which he said "what are you insecure about this time?" And when i said I just found out my friend died, he turned around and walked out of the room. The next day I was talking to his mum about it in the kitchen and she was comforting me, to which he again said "can you stop being insecure", and his mum practically tore him in half with words.
I left him soon after, and I'm now in a very happy and healthy relationship, with someone who also helps navigate my grief with me.
I miss his parents sometimes though, they were lovely people and deserved a better son than him.
Edit to add: worth noting we were together for almost 5 years as well, so not a new relationship or anything like that!
SheamusFanFrom1987 7 months ago
Good on his parents for realizing he's a sh*tbag excuse of a BF, and good on you for finding someone better. Hopefully you and his parents can reconnect someday without bozo involved.
#11
This isn’t a sad or dramatic one:
We had a really good girlfriend and boyfriend type relationship, but when s**t got real and long term commitment (marriage, buying a house, having a baby) peered over the horizon we both freaked out and bailed.
Catalyst was my mate’s wedding towards the end of the relationship and I was embarrassed at how lairy and drunk she was being. She was annoyed that I was being no fun and wouldn’t dance (there was no one else on the dancefloor!)
We’re still friends now. My wife is nothing like my ex, and my ex’s new partner is nothing like me. Everyone involved made the correct decision.
So guys - don’t forget to check out Amie's website - Amie The Dating Coach!
And do you have similar personal experiences that led you to understand that your partner is not “the one”? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
#12
She's still the "one", but her 43 year old son occupies our lives fully. Lived with us for 6 years, borrows and breaks almost everything I own, is hostile most of the time. She will not do anything to change the situation irrespective of how often I ask, so now I am going to fix it permanently. Selling my farm and divorcing her, such a shame.
#14
When I realized that every time she went away for extended time, instead of missing her I was exited that I get to have some alone time/do stuff with my friends instead of her.
Lila Allen 7 months ago
Sounds like you made a good choice. I had the same moment only I was the one away. I realized that people were asking me what I wanted to do and I also realized that I'd spent 8 years utterly focused on what he wanted to do and was he happy without ever once expecting that we would do what I wanted to or that he would make any effort for me.... still feel dumb. Hope you find your person. Glad you got rid of her.
#15
There was a picture she painted of me years ago that hung on our wall. It was beautiful, and was like a whole bunch of blue triangles that made out my face and it's my favorite thing of me that's ever existed. Then one day after a couple bad years she got in a relatively speaking small argument with me over something and started freaking out, tore the painting off the wall and destroyed it. The argument was so pointless I couldn't even remember what it was about a week later. I know it sounds dumb but when she painted that for me at the beginning of our relationship it meant everything to me, and after multiple awful years, that was when I knew things could never go back, and that painting and image I had of myself and our love and relationship would forever be broken and unfixable.
Dread Pirate Roberts 7 months ago
Destroying the painting also reflected what she was doing to OP and their relationship.
#16
He started drinking a 24 case of beer by himself, would yell at me about god knows what cuz he was hammered, pass out on the floor and p**s himself. Then act like nothing happened the next day. What a winner 🙄.
Dread Pirate Roberts 7 months ago
Damn...guy doesn't need to be in a romantic relationship; he needs help.
#17
When I went to the airport to pick her up, flowers in hand, and stood there until the last of the luggage had been picked up before I realized she hadn't even gotten on the plane.
StrangeOne 7 months ago
That's super sad. Hits hard because I recently went to go see my bf, and he met me at the airport with flowers. I don't know how anyone could be that cruel.
#18
Being single was better than being with him. It hit me all at once like a lightning strike. I’d been so tied up in trying to appease him and get him to chill the f**k out.
ETA: I’m ok now. Therapy changed the kind of people who I attract and keep. 17 years strong with my best friend in the world.
Jill Rhodry 7 months ago
This is what a lot of guys don't get - you're not 'competing' against other guys. She weighing up whether being with you brings more peace and personal growth then being alone.
#19
When she threatened me with a knife and started stabbing the bed cuz I wouldn't wanna drink more with her.
Charles McChristy 7 months ago
Sounds like my ex. She trashed my house when she didn't get her way, and I could do nothing because she started slapping herself in the face and saying that she was going to call the cops and tell them I was beating her.
#20
We never had an okay day. We had amazing days and awful days. Never just a nice okay one. Think of always manic or always depressed, no breaks. It was tough but had to break off.
#21
When I celebrated their growth but they were angry at mine.
Dread Pirate Roberts 7 months ago
They felt threatened and were afraid of losing their feelings of superiority. Classic narcissist douchebag behavior.
#22
She was away for college when suddenly she stopped responding to my calls and texts. Turns out she got pregnant by someone else. I was with her for 5 years.
#23
When I asked why she showed me no respect at all in private and in front of others and she said “oh like me respecting you is so important”
I saw her as a completely different person from then on.
Lila Allen 7 months ago
She sounds kind of lacking.... who wants to be with someone they don't respect. Glad you're away from that.
#24
When I realized the idea of marrying him one day secretly disappointed me.
#25
When he couldn't even name ONE thing that he liked about me after 4 years of him constantly asking reassurance from my end. Don't know how I stayed for so long in the relationship constantly begging for him to actually like me even when we were together.
#26
She hated when I wasn’t with her, and she wasn’t happy when I was.
Dread Pirate Roberts 7 months ago
🎵 It's tearing up my heart when I'm with you; and when we are apart, I feel it too 🎵 .....I'll show myself out.
#27
When he “jokingly” threatened to cheat because I hadn’t given him any in a while due issues we were having. Finally realized I didn’t love him like I told myself I did, I just held on to the fact he was my nostalgic love from middle school/high school.
#28
Years, decades, too late.
She wanted a goat that would live in the house with us. One that would go hiking with us & graze. I was vehemently against this idea. We still hadn't recovered from all the chicken s**t in the spare bedroom.
The goat she brought home was crippled. It would never graze. It would need to be hand fed for its entire life. She tried to bargain with me using [intercourse].
David 7 months ago
"all the chicken s**t in the spare bedroom" OMG. Full disclosure - I have had chicken s**t in my house (hard floor) but only because once in a while in the summer if the door was open, one of my chickens would wander into my living room. Shoo them out, wipe it up - obvious stuff. But to use a bedroom as a chicken coop - just gross. My chickens and their smell lived outside in their coop.
#29
She thought that the way to fix our problems was to separate temporarily. She ended up pregnant by another dude within a month.
#30
Saved my money for 6 months to buy her a ring to propose when we were about 21ish... proposed, got laughed at and told by her, that she had been cheating on me for the past year. That hurt.
#31
Well it was about that time that I noticed that the she was about 8 stories tall and a crustacean from the protozoic era. .
#32
When I finally realized that she wasn't and never could be the person who I wanted her to be.
Love a person for who they are in the moment as they truly are, not for what you think they may become.
#33
I don't know. I think I knew for years, but I was still holding onto the thought that you don't just *find* a happy relationship, you need to *built* one. Was kinda oblivious to the fact that you need both partners to do the building though.
What really struck me was that I was talking to a therapist once. I was seeing them for having far too much stress - which I now realize was mostly due to my wife - and when the troubles of my marriage became the topic for just a moment, the woman tried to cheer my up by suggesting that this was most likely a mere rough patch.
Sure, we had issued, but they were mostly external burdens that were very taxing to work through. So I should not loose hope and hold onto the things I loved about my wife, and the reasons for why I had married her.
I nodded "yeah" and put on a weary but brave smile like you are supposed to in that moment, but in my mind I realized there weren't any.
There weren't any.
#34
When she saw no issue with the fact that she would be texting her ex husband (now current husband if that makes things clear) giving him emotional support particularly when we were watching tv together or driving to a restaurant for date night. Her excuse, "I still consider him my best friend (she may have said one of my best friends) and I dont think there is anything wrong with talking to a friend." 5 years later we divorced and she remarried him 9 months after that.
David 7 months ago
The only "bad" part of this is leaving him for her ex. There isn't anything wrong with being friends with an ex. My ex wife and I had a painful divorce but stayed in touch due to our kids. We can have civil conversations and I've been to their house for things like Thanksgiving or other life events. And "not wife" but I've got at least a couple of other ex's I'm friends with and we stay in touch.
#36
When I got an STD after 12 years of marriage and was faithful to her the entire time.
It went away after a week of antibiotics.
But I became a different person that day.
Don’t know if I like who I am now.
ॐBoyGanesh 7 months ago
After reading some of his comments on other Reddit posts, with his anti-trans, cishet supremacy and basic homophobia, along with his misogynistic take on life (Japanese women because they’re demure & submissive?!?), I don’t like who is is now, either.
#37
When I asked her to marry me and she said "no".
What do you think ?
Doctor Strange 7 months ago
When she told me, explicitly, how much better than me the guy she was cheating on me with was than me. Found out two weeks later, from two independant sources, she was engaged to be married. To a third guy. That was the second worst relationship I ever had.
J. Maxx 7 months ago
I fell in love twice, both relationships were filled with trauma and drama. I realized at the ripe old age of 30 that I didn't need a man in my life to make me happy and I have been single since 2000 and I have never been happier. Some folks aren't made for relationships and that's perfectly fine. I wish more people realized that.
BannedFromABoatShow 7 months ago
I always wanted kids. One day I looked at my boyfriend and thought, I really don’t want to have kids with him. Broke up a month later.
Apatheist Account2 7 months ago
As I heard the other day: women marry men in the hope that they will change, and men marry women in the hope that they'll stay exactly as they are.
Tobias Reaper 7 months ago
not me but my best friend she was with her other half for 7 years and they had a child together she tried to make it work for the sake of their kiddo but told me the breaking point was when she said to him she deserves to be happy and he laughed in her face they broke up very quickly after that and she is much happier now without him
LynzCatastrophe 7 months ago (edited)
When I said the words out loud "I came to terms a long time ago that I wasn't your priority." Subconsciously, I knew that, but never said or even thought it. We had been having problems for years and tried to work on it. I tried not to give up right then and there but for several months after that, I realized how little he actually did. I work two weeks on, two off, away from home. I'd come home and nothing would be done. He'd check out when I was home and he told me he did this because he had "no support" when I was gone. I had enough. I realized for years I put in the effort into everything, took initiative in everything. Gave him divorce papers last month.
Ash 7 months ago
What I need is a thread like this on "when did you first realize your parents were f*cked up people"
BoredBranzino 7 months ago
Similar to #6: Went home with my college roommate during spring break (we were too poor for Daytona). Her BF (taking a 'gap year') and his family wanted to go see Cast Away, and I tagged along. At the part where he loses Wilson and breaks down, her BF and his family start laughing absolutely hysterically at it, saying "well, he's just crazy", in between peals of huge guffaws. Well, of course he had serious trauma, but it wasn't funny. I just side eyed my roommate and didn't say a word about it, the whole time we were there. On the drive back to Uni, the first thing she said to me was: Yeah, I gotta break up with him as soon as we get back. My relief was visible.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 7 months ago
..... When my hubs admitted he was attracted to another woman who was in the same hobby we were. Nothing happened yet, he assured me. But he wasn't happy so I let him go. Sometimes the best revenge is to let them have em... She's realizing this now.
KillerKiwi 7 months ago
When I realized I was making up excuses not to break up with him. “One more month” “after his birthday I’ll do it”. I got trapped and I was miserable. Oh and whenever I imagined us being married with kids ( which I don’t want but he did) I was depressed. I imagined myself trapped just like I was in reality, and I didn’t want him to be with someone forever who wasn’t happy and therefore couldn’t make him happy.
Emie N. 7 months ago (edited)
I'm legitimately curious if many BP commentators think every article on here is original. Too often, people respond to every post as if they're trying to communicate with the OP and get a response from them. Even though MOST articles come from Reddit. The op's won't see any of your responses unless you go to the original source which is always clickable under each picture and quote.
Just stopping by 7 months ago
When I thought we had been working on things and seeing where they would go. Only to then find out he had been talking to a woman from his past again for the last 9 months. If that wasn't enough, when I called him out on it he insinuated (can't remember exact words) it was because him and I were on different levels in life and she was more on his level (as far as having a successful and more established career). I lost every ounce of any positive feeling for that man in that moment. But it was for the best because I found the love of my life about 3 years later♥️
Doctor Strange 7 months ago
When she told me, explicitly, how much better than me the guy she was cheating on me with was than me. Found out two weeks later, from two independant sources, she was engaged to be married. To a third guy. That was the second worst relationship I ever had.
J. Maxx 7 months ago
I fell in love twice, both relationships were filled with trauma and drama. I realized at the ripe old age of 30 that I didn't need a man in my life to make me happy and I have been single since 2000 and I have never been happier. Some folks aren't made for relationships and that's perfectly fine. I wish more people realized that.
BannedFromABoatShow 7 months ago
I always wanted kids. One day I looked at my boyfriend and thought, I really don’t want to have kids with him. Broke up a month later.
Apatheist Account2 7 months ago
As I heard the other day: women marry men in the hope that they will change, and men marry women in the hope that they'll stay exactly as they are.
Tobias Reaper 7 months ago
not me but my best friend she was with her other half for 7 years and they had a child together she tried to make it work for the sake of their kiddo but told me the breaking point was when she said to him she deserves to be happy and he laughed in her face they broke up very quickly after that and she is much happier now without him
LynzCatastrophe 7 months ago (edited)
When I said the words out loud "I came to terms a long time ago that I wasn't your priority." Subconsciously, I knew that, but never said or even thought it. We had been having problems for years and tried to work on it. I tried not to give up right then and there but for several months after that, I realized how little he actually did. I work two weeks on, two off, away from home. I'd come home and nothing would be done. He'd check out when I was home and he told me he did this because he had "no support" when I was gone. I had enough. I realized for years I put in the effort into everything, took initiative in everything. Gave him divorce papers last month.
Ash 7 months ago
What I need is a thread like this on "when did you first realize your parents were f*cked up people"
BoredBranzino 7 months ago
Similar to #6: Went home with my college roommate during spring break (we were too poor for Daytona). Her BF (taking a 'gap year') and his family wanted to go see Cast Away, and I tagged along. At the part where he loses Wilson and breaks down, her BF and his family start laughing absolutely hysterically at it, saying "well, he's just crazy", in between peals of huge guffaws. Well, of course he had serious trauma, but it wasn't funny. I just side eyed my roommate and didn't say a word about it, the whole time we were there. On the drive back to Uni, the first thing she said to me was: Yeah, I gotta break up with him as soon as we get back. My relief was visible.
Kraneia The Dancing Dryad 7 months ago
..... When my hubs admitted he was attracted to another woman who was in the same hobby we were. Nothing happened yet, he assured me. But he wasn't happy so I let him go. Sometimes the best revenge is to let them have em... She's realizing this now.
KillerKiwi 7 months ago
When I realized I was making up excuses not to break up with him. “One more month” “after his birthday I’ll do it”. I got trapped and I was miserable. Oh and whenever I imagined us being married with kids ( which I don’t want but he did) I was depressed. I imagined myself trapped just like I was in reality, and I didn’t want him to be with someone forever who wasn’t happy and therefore couldn’t make him happy.
Emie N. 7 months ago (edited)
I'm legitimately curious if many BP commentators think every article on here is original. Too often, people respond to every post as if they're trying to communicate with the OP and get a response from them. Even though MOST articles come from Reddit. The op's won't see any of your responses unless you go to the original source which is always clickable under each picture and quote.
Just stopping by 7 months ago
When I thought we had been working on things and seeing where they would go. Only to then find out he had been talking to a woman from his past again for the last 9 months. If that wasn't enough, when I called him out on it he insinuated (can't remember exact words) it was because him and I were on different levels in life and she was more on his level (as far as having a successful and more established career). I lost every ounce of any positive feeling for that man in that moment. But it was for the best because I found the love of my life about 3 years later♥️
You May Like “I Think That I Have To Break Up With My Fiancé After He Embarrassed Me In Public Over A Sandwich” People Were Asked What Made Them Lose Interest In Their Crush, Here Are The Best Replies Man Is So Ashamed Of Parents’ Vote In Elections That He Doesn’t Want Them At His Swearing-In
Rūta Zumbrickaitė
Larysa Perih
Viktorija Ošikaitė
Related on Bored Panda
