10 Signs That A Relationship Is Ending

Before a relationship begins, there are signs that hint at the growing attraction: fluttering heartbeats, unbroken eye contact, teasing touches, giggles and flirty smiles.

And likewise, when a relationship is coming to an end, there are signs that suggest to the astute dater that it's time to close the door on that chapter of their life, and begin the process of opening themselves up to the new possibilities that await.

All relationships have rough patches - and for the right relationship it's more than worth it to put in whatever time and energy is required to work through the moments when things aren't running as smoothly as they usually do - but how do you know when you've simply hit a bump in an otherwise-even road, and when you've reached a moment that signifies the end of the relationship?

To determine whether or not your relationship has run its course, look for these signs that it's time to move on:

1. Communication is a thing of the past. Are the days of deep discussions and swapping stories about your lives long gone? Does arguing now seem easier than holding an actual conversation? Does it feel like you can no longer be bothered to pick up the phone or send a quick email to say hello? Is "liking" your partner's Facebook status the most meaningful interaction you've had all week? When communication breaks down, the break down of the relationship isn't far behind.
2. Your friendships have become increasingly important to you. In the honeymoon phase of a budding relationship, most daters are guilty of ditching their friends for their new love. When you notice the opposite starting to happen, and you begin regularly spending more time with your friends in order to avoid spending time with your partner, it's time to reevaluate your relationship. Similarly, if you notice that you now have to fight your partner's friends for his or her attention, a chat about the status of your relationship needs to happen asap.
3. You've started keeping secrets, or find out that your partner has. Honesty is the foundation of any healthy relationship, so when you find that your tendency to tell the truth is in decline, or you discover that your partner has been lying to you, it's a clear sign that the foundation of your relationship has suffered from serious structural damage.
4. Your friends have noticed that something is wrong. Friendly advice - no matter how well-meaning the friends are - isn't always worth taking, but when your friends express concern because they see that you're hurting and upset, listen up. A friend's outsider's perspective can often offer insight into issues that you're unable to see.

Living in the past, forgetting to focus on the future, and more, next time, as we cover the final 6 signs a relationship is coming to an end.