Signs You’re Walking On Eggshells In Your Relationship (And What To Do)

The foundation of a healthy relationship is based on mutual love, respect, and open and honest communication. If either of these pillars crumbles, then the whole relationship can break down. Your partner is meant to be your best friend and your confidant. This won’t work when you feel the need to walk on eggshells in your relationship.

In a healthy relationship, you can understand your partner’s moods, without worrying about their reaction. You know your partner – inside and out. However, in a relationship, where you and your partner lack open communication and mutual understanding, then every step you take can feel like walking on eggshells.

Your relationship becomes a complicated network of carefully chosen steps and words and then waits with bated breath about your partner’s reaction. Being on constant high alert and scared to speak your mind to avoid upsetting your partner’s mood becomes more and more normal in the relationship.

If you’re hesitant to speak to your partner, share your thoughts and concerns, and are often cautious around your partner, then it could be a sign that you might be walking on eggshells in your relationship. Below, look at the signs you’re walking on eggshells in your relationship and how to deal with an emotionally abusive relationship.

What Does “Walking On Eggshells” Mean?

Eggs are quite fragile and need to be handled with care to avoid cracks. Just like an egg, when a person is “walking on eggshells”, it means that they observe severe caution when in their partner’s company to avoid upsetting them or avoid any angry outbursts that their partner may respond with.

In the case of an upset partner, the mood can range from annoyance to outright anger. This kind of reaction can put you in a position where you’re always agreeing to your partner’s demands just to avoid a mood swing or a complaint.

These mood swings can be quite intense or sudden and can last for a long time. It’s also important to understand that if you’re constantly finding yourself walking on eggshells around your partner, then your partner might be guilty of emotional abuse. Emotional abuse involves manipulating and controlling actions that one does to embarrass, shame, and criticize the other.

Emotional abuse can target your psychological health and eventually bring down your self-esteem and self-worth.

Signs You’re Walking On Eggshells

If you feel like you’re walking on eggshells in your relationship, then here are some common signs you need to look out for;

• Your partner gets angry at the slightest inconvenience
• Your partner often experiences angry outbursts that are more intense than the situation warrants
• Your partner often engages in verbal assault
• You’re always on guard around your partner
• Your partner’s moods are noticed by others too
• Your partner often engages in physical fights and blowouts in the relationship
• Your partner rarely apologizes for their verbal or physical outbursts
• Your partner refuses to acknowledge their responsibility for the pain
• You feel scared and fearful of your partner’s reaction
• You’re experiencing a low sense of self and self-confidence

When you’re constantly walking on eggshells around your partner, it can eventually lead to a never-ending cycle of mistreatment and abuse. If you or your loved one is in an abusive relationship, then do not hesitate to reach out for help.

Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1800 799 7233 or contact your nearest emergency helpline.

How To Stop Walking On Eggshells?

Abuse can go beyond a tense relationship. When you’re always on high alert and guard about your partner’s reaction, then it can increase your risk of developing serious mental health and emotional health disorders.

Emotional abuse, even as mild as walking on eggshells, can make you fearful of your partner and their reaction, making you susceptible to anxiety, depression, and even loneliness.

If you have an abusive partner, then here are some tips to help you deal with them, protect yourself, and stop walking on eggshells;

1. Communicate Honestly

The first step to stop walking on eggshells and protecting yourself from emotional abuse is to keep open and honest communication with your partner. If your partner’s the reason for your constant anxiety, stress, and tension, then you need to discuss this with them. Communicating honestly will help you understand the stressors and how to react to them calmly instead of aggressively.

However, if your partner reacts to the communication with aggression and a more violent reaction, then you should seek professional intervention or consider ending the relationship.

2. Listen To Your Emotional Needs

Ending a relationship can be distressing – no matter how your partner had been. To understand the need to move out of the relationship, you need to understand your emotional needs and what you need from a partner – emotionally, too.

You need to seek a partnership where the thought of your partner’s reaction does not put you on guard. When you know your emotional needs, finding a partner to help those needs will become easier.

3. Reach Out To Your Loved Ones

“It takes a village to raise a child” If we’re talking in phrases, then this is quite an appropriate one to use. When you’re constantly walking on eggshells, you might begin to feel lonely, even if you’re an active partner in the relationship.

Here, the support of your loved one – or rather trusted ones – comes in. If you’re in an emotionally abusive relationship, that you’ve decided to move on from, then reach out to your support system. They’ll help you work through your distress and move on.

4. Help Your Partner Seek Help

If you are not willing to give up on your partner yet, then the next step can be to encourage them to seek professional help. However, remember that it is not your obligation to fix them or help them get help. If you feel safe enough with your partner, only then, you can suggest that your partner seek help. If you feel like you’re in danger, then immediately connect with your nearest emergency number.

5. Connect With A Therapist (For Yourself)

Emotional abuse can leave long-lasting scars on your psyche – even more so than physical abuse. Your support system might sometimes not provide the help you truly need.

In such cases, it’s recommended that you seek and connect with a therapist for yourself. Having professional support can help you move through the trauma and address any other issues that came with the abusive relationship.

Bottom Line

Walking on eggshells in a relationship is not healthy. Where a relationship is supposed to be loving and caring, walking on eggshell behavior can do the opposite. If you find yourself fearing your partner’s mood swings and reaction and feel like you’re in an unstable and emotionally abusive relationship, then you can always choose to walk out. You don’t have to stay in the relationship.

Relationships are supposed to be loving, caring, and healthy and if your relationship dynamic is scooting towards unhealthy, unstable, and abusive, then you can seek professional intervention and walk out of the relationship.

I hope this blog helped you. For more, you can write to us at info@calmsage.com or DM us on social media. You can also share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Take Care!