9 signs of an emotionally unavailable partner

A relationship is a shared responsibility and entails reciprocation and deeper commitment. However, Individuals in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner may struggle with the complexities of both understanding their partner and their relationship with them. Emotionally unavailable partners are less attuned to their emotions. Their unavailability is characterized by their inability to reciprocate time, affection, love, and efforts in the relationship which ultimately leads to a relationship falling apart.

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An emotionally unavailable partner often tries to avoid spending time with their partner. For such individuals, relationships come last in their list of priorities and they don’t consider it necessary to spend time with their partner. They refrain from putting effort and investing their time in relationships. In a nutshell, an emotionally unavailable partner acts cold and harsh when pointing out their unwillingness to commit.

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Emotional expression is hardly visible when you are dating an emotionally unavailable partner. In most cases, individuals in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner find themselves taking on the emotional expression single-handedly. It’s never a two-way process with them. An emotionally unavailable partner avoids emotional expression to escape from the interplay of emotions in relationships. They avoid expressing love and desire in the relationship.

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The communication gap is persistent when you are in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner. The act of stonewalling becomes too frequent leading to emotional distance. They never communicate about their priorities, fears, and needs in the relationship. Subsequently, the relationship arrives at a surface level. They don’t want to communicate much to avoid attachment to their partner.

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Emotionally unavailable partners have a fear of intimacy. They avoid getting too close to their partners because of the fear of emotional attachment. They are uncomfortable during intimate moments. Individuals in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner may not have healthy bedroom chemistry.

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An emotionally unavailable partner often fails to offer empathy in the relationship. They dismiss the emotions of their partner and never validate their experiences. They are the least empathetic and understanding. The moment you confide in them, they struggle to empathise with your experiences.

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Emotionally unavailable partners are unable to offer support and help in difficult times. They become emotionally distant when you need them most. They fail to make their presence during the time of need. Such individuals leave their partners alone to battle the circumstances.

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The repetitive cycle of ghosting and zombieing is evident in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable partner. In most cases, such individuals first suddenly shut the communication and disappear and then reappear after ghosting. Their inability to display emotions and commit to the relationship creates an unhealthy dynamic.

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If your partner expects to do all the emotional work in the relationship, it’s a telltale sign that you are dating an emotionally unavailable partner. At this juncture, an individual may feel emotionally suffocated due to the burden of investing more and more time and energy single-handedly in the relationship. An emotionally unavailable partner fails to reciprocate and express gratitude, and affection in the relationship.

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Emotionally unavailable partners keep themselves guarded and never express what’s exactly going on in their minds. During arguments with their partner, they pass sarcastic comments and demonstrate cold behaviour. They refrain from empathizing and instead resort to cracking jokes and passing sneering remarks to avoid dealing with emotional expression.
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