Resentment In Relationship

Resentment can be a major cause of relationship breakdown. When one partner begins to resent something the other has done or caused, the feelings can fester and begin to show up in the relationship in other ways.

There are people who resent their partners for making them settle down to family life before they were ready. Some people feel resentment for feeling as though they're stuck in a job they hate due to financial pressures.

Some women may resent having to give up lucrative careers for the sake of family life. Others may resent a particular way their partner treats them or acts around other people.

Resentment is a general feeling of blame for another person. It can also be a way for some people to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions and choices.
Unfortunately, resentment is the kind of feeling that can remain for years, causing little niggling arguments, snide comments or hurtful treatment of the people around you.

Mending the Rift
The most important step in healing any feelings of resentment is to accept ownership and responsibility for your own actions and choices. If your partner is the one feeling resentful, then discuss what's bothering him or her and ask for openness and honesty about those feelings.

Resenting another person for something that's bothering you is pointless. You're the person who allowed the situation to progress. You're also the person who continued with life after the event, without addressing the problem you're feeling badly about.

These were your choices at that time, however, you can also make the choice to do something more positive about it right now.

If you resent your partner for holding you back or tying you down or otherwise controlling your life-path in some way, ask yourself what you did to protect your own goals and dreams. If you're currently resentful about not having them, chances are you did nothing about it, so you didn't take responsibility for your actions.

Resenting your partner is an unhealthy way to run a relationship. Think about some of the things you're grateful to your partner for and let go of those negative emotions.

No matter what you might feel your partner has done or said, always remember that you are responsible for your own choices.