There are certain behaviors of someone who is quietly falling in love, and they aren’t exactly obvious. From being unable to open up to dismissing their partner’s concerns, people who are no longer in love show their true feelings in subtle ways.

Their actions can cause their partner to feel confused, frustrated, hurt, and abandoned. According to the CPTSD FoundationEmotional abandonment has long-term consequences, including anxiety, depression, codependency, and even borderline personality disorder.

But recognizing the signs in advance can ease the heartbreak and pain.

Here are 10 behaviors of someone who is slowly falling in love

1. They communicate less

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When a person is no longer in love with their partner, communication may begin to decrease, as they gradually want to move away from the relationship. Not wanting to get close to their partner, they will respond with one word when their partner tries to talk to them or will simply end the conversation.

According to a study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationscommunication is a key part of most relationships. In this specific study, researchers found that out of 365 couples who participated, women’s initial positive communication during conflict predicted greater relationship satisfaction in both partners. Additionally, men who were clear about their partner’s feelings experienced a decrease in their engagement in negative communications.

As a result, it is assumed that positive communication is crucial to the longevity of any relationship. Yet, if one partner refuses to engage in healthy communication, it could predetermine a relationship that is heading towards a breakup.

RELATED: 6 Subtle Signs Your Relationship Was Over From the Start, According to Psychology

2. They are irritated by everything their partner does

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It’s normal for people to sometimes be annoyed by their partner. If their boyfriend leaves dishes in the sink or their girlfriend leaves hair in the drain, it’s bound to cause conflict. However, if someone is constantly angry with their partner, it is a sign that they are fed up and have developed resentment.

According to the Gottman Institutecontempt leads to the worst behavior in a relationship. Contempt is when one partner has negative thoughts about the other. This usually leads to disrespectful or mocking communication because the person believes themselves to be superior to the other. Unfortunately, most relationships that accumulate contempt don’t last long.

The Gottman Institute explained that contempt is the worst of the “four horsemen” and predicts the end of a relationship. So, if a person is fed up with their partner’s antics, this is one of the clear signs that they are slowly falling out of love.

3. They are not affectionate

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Affection is crucial to the longevity of any relationship. A study published in Communication Quarterly found that affection helps a person evaluate their partner’s commitment to their relationship. Additionally, affection predicted relationship satisfaction.

So when someone is hugged, it can feel like a form of rejection if they are pushed away. According to a study from Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscienceseveral feelings can arise from rejection, including hurt feelings, jealousy, shame, loneliness, guilt, social anxiety, and embarrassment.

It makes perfect sense why rejection from a partner hurts so much and why distant behavior may indicate only one partner fall in love with each other.

4. They stop making plans for the future

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The ability to plan for the future is an indicator of whether a person chooses to stay in their relationship for the long term. Really committed people will have open discussions with their partner about where they see themselves as a couple in five, ten or even 15 years. They talk about where they want to live or what kind of life they envision together.

Unfortunately, people who stop making plans for the future don’t plan to stay long. They will slowly move away from their relationship until they feel it is the right time to break up. This can obviously be devastating.

RELATED: 10 Simple Ways to Be Deeply Devoted to Your Partner

5. They show no interest in their partner’s daily life

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When a person doesn’t ask their partner, “How was your day?” or show genuine interest in their daily tasks, this is a red flag that could indicate they are quietly falling in love. No longer interested in their partner, these individuals do not feel the need to dig deep. They have no problem ignoring their partner’s frustration, causing the partner to feel unsupported.

Unfortunately, a lack of support in a relationship is a sign that the partnership is coming to an end.

A study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found that providing mutual support leads to better overall health. Additionally, being able to provide support predicted greater well-being than simply receiving it. With this in mind, it is not surprising that mutual support is a pillar of the longevity of a relationship, and that mutual respect and love are relevant.

6. They don’t argue

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From the outside, couples who don’t argue may seem like a good thing. No one wants to constantly hear their partner talk trash or have intense disagreements about finances. However, someone who chooses to stay silent instead of fighting for their relationship is a sign that they are quietly falling in love.

A study published in Personal Relations determined that avoiding conflict leads to poorer communication. As a result, couples reported feeling less happy and less dedicated to their relationships. A additional study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relations found that couples who pretended there were no problems experienced increased stress, which led to decreased satisfaction.

When a partner is no longer in love, they may refuse to do so. engaging in arguments or conflict resolution with their partner. And this can inevitably lead to a breakup.

7. They share less about themselves

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One of the subtle behaviors of someone who is quietly falling in love is their tendency to share less about themselves over time. Secretive behavior doesn’t always spell disaster for a relationship, because a partner might choose to engage in this type of behavior to plan a birthday party or propose. However, a partner who chooses to share minimal details about their life is not being secretive, they are distant.

They don’t reveal the ups and downs of their day, what’s on their plate, and may even avoid talking about milestones. They slowly move away from the relationship without completely ripping the band-aid off. This could explain why estranged partners ignore their loved one’s concerns or give a few words in response, such as “I don’t know.” The truth is that they are looking for a quick exit from the relationship.

RELATED: 11 Subtle Signs That a Partner Has Lost Their Feelings (And Might End Things)

8. They put others before the relationship

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In a relationship, people will definitely have friends or family that they care about. But always choosing sides or meeting their needs can leave a bitter taste in your partner’s mouth. And it can lead to resentment if the behavior persists.

According to relationship counselors Linda Bloom, LCSW and Charlie Bloom, MSWin marriages, choosing to prioritize children leads to neglect of marital needs. This can directly lead to resentment and a loss of connection, impacting those around them. To avoid this, couples need to make time for each other and prioritize their relationship. If they don’t, the relationship will deteriorate.

9. There is a noticeable change in their social media presence

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When there’s a big change in a partner’s behavior on social media, it could be a sign that they’re quietly falling in love. Because, unfortunately, an increased presence on social media tends to increase the chances of cheating.

Research published in Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networks found that social media makes it easier to deceive partners. Specifically, partners in committed relationships will use apps like Facebook Befriend a former ex by texting or commenting on their posts. This leads to reconnection, which then increases the risk of infidelity.

10. They don’t ask their partner out

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Being in a relationship means spending time apart from time to time, whether it’s going out with friends, seeing family, or even running errands alone. But when a partner doesn’t invite their partner to their side, it could mean they’re quietly falling in love.

They may make excuses like being too busy or feeling too tired, but when it comes to spending time with friends or family, they will leave their partner at home or tell them about their plans at the last minute , which will prevent them from doing so. attend. Excluding a partner may indicate that they are no longer engaged for the relationship to work.

In difficult times like these, it is important for couples to have an open and honest conversation. But if their partner refuses to change, it could be an unhappy ending.

RELATED: 8 Ways to Find the Magical Spark in Your Relationship (By Cleansing It)

Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor’s degree in psychology who covers topics such as self-help, relationships, career, family, and astrology.