5 Signs You Are the Chameleon in Your Relationship: Revealed by Therapist
Love your partner, but do not sacrifice your sense of self. Love can make two souls vulnerable. Partners should love each other but not lose themselves. They need to avoid blurring lines between who they are and what they need to be. Many partners end up as chameleons who are only worried about fitting themselves into the mold of their partner – be it their likes, dislikes, interests, etc. They lose their identity for the sake of love.
A healthy romantic relationship nurtures individuality and does not desert it. It is okay to adapt sometimes for the sake of your partner, but not all the time. Completely reshaping your identity to fit into your partner’s world can cause irreparable damage to your mental health. Initially, your partner will praise you, and things will look really easygoing. But in the long run, it will make you push your likes and dislikes about something under the rug. You can end up losing your identity due to a lack of self-awareness about who you really are.
Signs of A Relationship Chameleon
A relationship therapist revealed signs partners can watch out for in a relationship to avoid becoming the chameleon.
- You agree with every opinion of your partner even when it does not align with your opinion.
- You adopt hobbies as well as the interests of your partner but struggle to find your own.
- You never express your real thoughts and feelings out of your fear of rejection or conflict.
- You are tired of being the perfect partner in the relationship.
- You struggle with decision-making because you are used to following your partner’s decisions.
Ways to Stop Being a Relationship Chameleon
A therapist also revealed proactive tips partners in a relationship can follow to leave behind their chameleon nature sooner than ever.
- Reconnect with Your Preferences: Take some time to watch your favorite movie or listen to music you like. Pick up what excites you. Don’t let your partner decide this for you.
- It Is Okay to Disagree: You both can disagree in opinions. Express what you think feels right to you. Your opinions hold weight in the relationship too.
- Spend Quality Time with Yourself: Enjoy your company whenever you get time. Stop mirroring your partner and let your true self shine bright.
- Ask Yourself Questions: Ask yourself how you would like to be treated by your partner and act accordingly.
- Stop Being Too Adaptable: Last but not least, stop being the adaptable one in your relationship. Being adaptable is definitely not a flaw. But adaptable nature no longer serves a purpose when it costs your own identity. The right partner will celebrate your differences.
A relationship where you are the chameleon can start to feel suffocating in the long run. This kind of relationship can suppress your individuality. Initially, you may enjoy its benefits with your partner, but holding back your feelings can cause emotional exhaustion and mental problems. Breakup after being the chameleon in the relationship can come as a surprise, hardly digestible after the kind of effort you have put in.
