For years, Marisol believed her relationship with her boyfriend, Victor, would improve if he stopped working late every night. Victor thought Marisol would stop nagging him if he could find more energy after work. They both assumed the problem was the other person.

Sound familiar? Many couples fall into the trap of believing that their struggles stem from specific issues—a bad habit here, a personality flaw there. But often, the real problem lies deeper: in the invisible “rules” we’ve created about what we deserve in love.

Whether rooted in past relationships, childhood experiences, or cultural messages, these expectations can shape what we tolerate, demand, or even avoid in our romantic lives. So, how do you know if you’re settling, sabotaging, or simply surviving in your relationship? Let’s dig into three subtle ways you might be settling for less.

After 10 years together, Ethan and Priya prided themselves on never fighting. But under the surface, both felt lonely. Ethan longed for Priya to be more affectionate, while........

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