Relationships don’t always end with a big argument or a dramatic exit—sometimes, they fade out quietly. If your partner seems emotionally distant, avoids deep conversations, or puts in the bare minimum effort, they might be “quiet quitting” the relationship.
It’s that unsettling feeling when things feel fine on the surface, but deep down, something is off. Maybe date nights have become a thing of the past, or they no longer engage in the little rituals that once made your bond special.
While every relationship has its ups and downs, consistent emotional withdrawal could be a sign that they’re already halfway out the door.
Psychology Today explains that quiet quitting involves putting out minimal energy and spending minimal time with your partner, often feeling futile and unable to express their opinions or needs. It is stated that this can lead to a heart-centred relationship, where the heart and mind are hyperfocused, treating the relationship as an obligation.
The publication further mentions that “Not only does the heart seem to shut down against the partner, but the body does, too. A quietly quitting partner may look for excuses to avoid intimacy and lovemaking.”
The Very Well Mind website claims that quiet quitting can be as painful as a breakup, causing questions, loneliness, and a loss of confidence. The constant effort required to initiate plans can exhaust the relationship, leading to feelings of anger and resentment, the publication adds.
It is further noted that the lack of effort can cause a toxic cycle, with criticising the partner’s lack of effort leading to further withdrawal.
Quiet quitting leaves the relationship in limbo, without any closure, leaving the person stuck in a relationship that doesn’t feel like a relationship.
