Turn a Blind Eye to Your Partner’s Mistakes?
Being in a happy relationship means you don’t turn a blind eye when something is wrong.
In any relationship, it’s only normal for partners to make mistakes. After all, we’re only human and perfection is an unattainable goal.
However, when these slip-ups become behaviors that threaten your connection, should you still dismiss them?
Sure, you might say, “Hey, everyone messes up, and a quick sorry can fix things.” But what if your partner’s blunders aren’t just little oopsies? What if they’re messing with your happiness and the whole relationship?
Is it still smart to pretend to turn a blind eye to it?
No, because your partner will have a lack of accountability.
When you disregard your partner’s mistakes, you may be unintentionally shielding them from owning up to their actions.
You’re probably thinking, “We’re adults. They’re responsible for understanding what’s right and wrong.” They shouldn’t wait to be told what to do and not to do, and the same goes for you.
And you’d be right. There’s no equality in a relationship where only one person is responsible for keeping things in line.
So think of it as your responsibility to yourself. It’s your duty to stand up for yourself when you’re being treated wrongly. Yes, your partner should be aware of the impact their actions have on others. It’s part of being a self-aware grown-up.
But they should also be aware of the consequences of any negative impact they have on you.
And, hey, if your partner’s accountability rests solely on your shoulders, maybe you should rethink that relationship itself. It sounds more like you’re on your own.
No, because you may be developing an unhealthy pattern in your relationship.
This is related to the previous section, but it’s not the same. In this section, we’re talking about mistakes that need to be addressed because they bother you and the relationship, not because they’re harmful per se.
When you turn a blind eye to these kinds of mistakes, it may give the impression that you tolerate them. Your partner may think that their actions are fine with you, leading to a cycle of negative behavior that is difficult to break.
How does this work? Let’s say your partner is the partygoer type. They like to go out a lot, hang out with their friends, etc. All fine, right? They’re just extroverted, that’s all.
But you’re nowhere near as extroverted. You much prefer conversations to loud gatherings. That’s okay too.
Except your partner doesn’t know that. You keep going with them to those parties because you want to nurture your compatibility, and all the while, they think you do so because you like parties as much as they do.
Don’t ignore that. Otherwise, you’re just enabling them by constantly putting their needs over yours without them even knowing it. They also need to learn about your needs, and if you don’t communicate, then what they learn about you may be conflicted. As for you, the relationship slowly becomes a tiresome obligation.
No, because you risk serious emotional damage.
Turning a blind eye is the same as keeping yourself silent when you need to express your feelings. This can result in significant emotional damage.
You will be prone to feelings of resentment and developing trust issues and other negative emotions. That negativity can accumulate over time. Soon, you may find yourself losing trust in your partner, thinking they’re not aware of how their actions affect you, and assuming that they should be aware.
This pattern can become a breeding ground for future conflicts and frustrations. It can ultimately affect your relationship in negative, even toxic, ways.
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Turning a blind eye is similar to having a voice but choosing not to speak. It’s choosing temporary peace even if the result is lasting havoc in yourself and your relationship.
Mistakes are supposed to be our stepping stones to life lessons. They are meant to be corrected constructively, not ignored or tolerated.
Otherwise, those mistakes can define your relationship.
