4 Reasons Your Relationship Issues are a "You" Problem

When I was in college, one of my favorite shows to watch was The Late, Late Show with David Letterman. He was known to have funny skits as well as the famous Top 10 list.

You’re probably wondering why I’m taking this stroll down memory lane.

Well, you’re probably reading this because you have had issues in multiple relationships with friends, family, work, and dating. Let’s be real: those issues affect us all, but they can be frustrating and downright hard. Personally, you may be wondering some things like:

Why do friends and family keep ghosting me?
Why can’t I seem to get along with anyone at my job?
How do I get others to see that my way actually works better than theirs most of the time?
Do I want to have all the control in my relationships?

There’s no easy way to say this, and it may be a painful thing to even think about, but…

The answer may be that your relationship issues are a “you” problem.

Self-examination is not always easy, and it rarely feels good, but it’s so worth it! With that in mind, here are 4 reasons which might signal that relationship issues are a “you” problem. (Look at this as my version of David Letterman’s Top 10, except there’s only 4.)

1. It’s never your fault.

When you don’t take or acknowledge any responsibility for problems in your life, that’s the epitome of a “you” problem. The blame can’t be and isn’t always on everyone else. People make mistakes and missteps, including you. Accountability and self-awareness are keys to effectively process how you impact your life and the lives of others around you. The good news: you can grow in this area.

2. You lack self-awareness.

Take some time to think about your past relationships. Look for patterns and tendencies, not of past partners, but YOUR OWN. Were you critical? Did you always have to be right? Did you listen? It’s essential to examine your behavior in the relationship. In taking an honest look at yourself, you may find some things that you don’t like to see or that you were unaware you did. The good news: others can help you see any blind spots you may have if you’re willing to find out.

3. You notice similar negative patterns.

Maybe you have become comfortable with the way things go in your life. You get takeout from your favorite restaurants and get your clothes from your favorite stores. We also have patterns in our relationships. You may have met your former significant others in similar ways. When you look back at your previous relationships and recognize many unhealthy issues and commonalities between them, that may be a “you” problem. The good news: you can step out of your comfort zone and make positive changes.

4. It’s your way or the highway.

It’s normal to want to have some say over what happens in your life. Or to be concerned about what happens in the lives of those you care about. It’s another thing altogether to consciously or unconsciously believe that the people in your life should automatically defer to you about the desires in their lives. It can be a “you” problem when people move out or are moved out of your life because they don’t respond in the way you would like. The good news: listening to others and respecting them even if you disagree goes a long way. The only person you can control is you!

When problems arise in your life, it’s essential to look at the person in the mirror. This is not to say that everything is a “you” problem. But, you do contribute to the problem. We all do! Being open to changing, growing, or adapting as needed is a significant first step toward correcting “you” problems.

Growing isn’t meant to stop you from being you, but to help you be a better version of yourself. Once you are a better “you,” then forming meaningful relationships becomes easier. Healthy relationships often involve growing pains, but they are worth the effort, and so are you!

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4 Reasons Your Relationship Issues are a “You” Problem