Overcoming Habits That Can Cause Relationship Problems

Instagram and TikTok must make you think that relationships are all sunshine and rainbows. But, in reality, they are not. 

Every relationship, no matter how perfect it looks from the outside, hits a few bumps. Sometimes those bumps are just everyday stress or miscommunication. Other times, it’s a handful of habits that slowly chip away at the relationship. 

So, what are the habits that cause relationship problems? We’ll discuss that in our latest blog for The Bad Ass Dad Pod, as well as share how you can overcome them. 

Not Really Listening What Your Partner Says

How many times have you nodded along to your partner talking but didn’t absorb a word they said? This happens to the best of us. Maybe you’re tired, your brain’s somewhere else, or you think you already know what they’re gonna say.

Not listening sends a loud message—whether you mean it or not—that what your partner says doesn’t matter that much to you. They feel unimportant or dismissed, which leads to misunderstandings and fights.

Feeling unheard also creates emotional distance. This has negative effects on your relationship. According to Jairek Robbins, emotional distance can lead to feelings of frustration, loneliness, and resentment between partners. 

So, what can you do? Give your undivided attention to your partner. When your partner’s talking, try to be all in. 

Show you’re listening to them through your body. Keep a relaxed, open posture. Lean in slightly, nod your head sometimes, and make good eye contact. Avoid crossed arms; they can come across as defensive. Most importantly, don’t interrupt. Let them finish their thoughts.

Ignoring Your Partner (for Your Phone)

Scrolling TikTok, checking messages, or replying to work stuff—everyone’s glued to their phones. 

But some people are so addicted to their phones that they third-wheel their relationships. This habit has a name—it’s called phubbing. 

Cambridge Dictionary describes it as the act of giving attention to your phone while ignoring the one you’re with. This behavior sends a clear message. It tells your partner the phone is more important than them right now. 

Believe it or not, phubbing is now a major source of relationship conflict in recent years. Research links it to lower relationship satisfaction. 

You can break the phubbing cycle. Create some phone-free zones in your home. The bedroom is a great place to start. Keep it a space for rest and intimacy. 

Set specific phone-free times too. Agree to put phones away during meals. Keep them away during date nights. Maybe try the first and last 30 minutes of the day phone-free. Make it a rule to put phones down during conversations. Turn off non-essential notifications. This reduces the constant temptation to look.

Drinking Too Much

Having a drink occasionally is no big deal. But boozing can quietly wreck your relationship. 

Drinkaware explains that alcohol suppresses inhibition. As your guard is down (inhibitions), you miss the signs of trouble and are more likely to argue with your partner. 

Then there’s the fallout—missing work, ignoring responsibilities, not showing up at home. This behavior seriously erodes trust.  

If drinking is causing problems, encourage your partner to seek help. For severe addiction, rehab might be necessary. Yes, that can be pricey—but many insurance plans help cover it.

Cigna health insurance plans are an example. Ingrained Recovery notes that it offers coverage for rehab to support people wanting to overcome substance use disorder.

So, if your partner’s addiction is ruining your relationship, you can use Cigna coverage to get help for drinking. 

Thinking of an in-patient program? Consider a luxury treatment center. They are pricier, sure. But the care, privacy, and comfort are top-notch. 

You’ve got options. In Georgia, for instance, there are 51.75% of rehab centers. Around 59 of its 114 addiction treatment centers are highly ranked. 

So, you won’t have trouble finding a leading upscale treatment center in Georgia. Wherever you are in the US, just spend some time searching on the internet to get an option.

Avoiding Conflict at All Costs

Think that avoiding fights would be a good thing, right? Not exactly.

Avoiding conflict doesn’t make problems disappear. Issues don’t get solved; they just simmer under the surface. Resentment builds up silently but surely. This is sometimes called gunnysacking.

Communication breaks down completely when issues aren’t discussed. Needs go unexpressed and unmet and trust erodes significantly. It can even signal indifference—that you don’t care enough to engage. 

Bottling up emotions isn’t healthy for you either. It can lead to stress, anxiety, and even physical health problems.  

Face issues constructively. The goal isn’t to never fight. It is to handle disagreements well. Healthy relationships need space for honest disagreement. That gives you a chance to grow together and help you understand each other’s needs, boundaries, and values. 

All Relationships Are Works in Progress, Not Perfection

We all have quirks and habits—some of them not-so-great. The good news? Relationships aren’t about being perfect. They are about trying—to be better, to show up, and to love each other well, even when it’s hard.

So if you see yourself in a few of these habits, don’t panic. Awareness is the first step. From there, it’s all about small, intentional shifts. And those shifts—trust us—make all the difference.