One Sided Relationship: Signs, Causes, and How to Restore Balance

A healthy relationship thrives when both partners are equally invested. But when the balance tips—when one person is giving far more than the other—it can quickly turn into a one sided relationship. These situations often leave you feeling drained, unappreciated, and questioning whether the connection can survive.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re carrying the weight alone, this guide explores the signs of a one sided effort relationship, why it happens, and what you can do about it.

What Is a One Sided Relationship?

A one sided relationship occurs when the effort, time, or emotional investment is not mutual. Instead of both people contributing equally, one person ends up doing most of the work.

It may feel like you’re constantly initiating communication, planning dates, making sacrifices, or providing support, while your partner remains distant or disengaged. Over time, this lack of balance can erode trust, connection, and self-esteem.

Put simply, a one sided relationship is one where one person investing more energy becomes the norm, not the exception.

Signs You’re in a One Sided Relationship

Not all imbalances are easy to spot at first. Sometimes, you may excuse your partner’s behavior as stress, a busy schedule, or a “bad day.” But when patterns repeat, it may indicate a problem in communication or deeper issues. Here are the most common signs:

1. You’re Always the One Reaching Out

If you’re the one texting, calling, or initiating plans while your partner rarely does, it may be a red flag. One person should not be responsible for keeping the connection alive.

2. Effort Doesn’t Feel Equal

Healthy relationships involve two people making compromises. If you feel like you’re putting in all the effort while your partner coasts, you’re likely in a one sided relationship.

3. You Feel Drained and Unappreciated

Relationships should give you energy, not constantly deplete it. If being with your partner leaves you feeling exhausted instead of supported, the balance is off.

4. Lack of Emotional Support

When challenges arise, you expect your partner to listen and care. If they dismiss your feelings or avoid deeper conversations, you may not feel emotionally safe.

5. Financial or Practical Burdens Are on You

From paying bills to handling responsibilities at home, if one person consistently carries the load, it signals imbalance.

6. Poor Communication

A lack of open dialogue often fuels a one sided relationship. When only one person invests in discussing feelings or resolving conflicts, it can indicate a problem in communication.

Why Do One Sided Relationships Happen?

Several factors can contribute to imbalance:

• Attachment styles: People with anxious or avoidant attachment may struggle to give equally.
• Poor communication skills: Some people never learned how to express needs clearly.
• Life stressors: Work, health, or personal issues may limit one partner’s availability.
• Taking advantage: Sadly, some relationships include one person who gives while the other takes, without appreciation.

While some imbalances are temporary, ongoing neglect often leads to frustration and even mental health struggles.

Effects of a One Sided Relationship

A one sided relationship doesn’t just affect your connection—it impacts your overall well-being. Here’s how:

• Emotional strain: Constantly giving without receiving can hurt your self-esteem.
• Stress and burnout: Always trying to fix things or keep the relationship afloat can leave you exhausted.
• Mental health challenges: Anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation are common when your needs are consistently ignored.
• Doubts about self-worth: When effort isn’t reciprocated, you may start questioning whether you’re “enough.”

In short, a one sided relationship can leave you feeling empty, insecure, and unsupported.

How to Fix a One Sided Relationship

While difficult, a one sided effort relationship doesn’t always mean the end. In some cases, honest conversations and effort from both partners can restore balance. Here’s how:

1. Recognize the Imbalance

The first step is acknowledging you’re in a one sided relationship. Pay attention to how much energy you’re putting in compared to your partner.

2. Communicate Openly

Talk to your partner about how you feel. Use “I” statements instead of blaming. For example: “I feel drained when I’m always the one planning our time together.”

This reduces defensiveness and opens the door to change.

3. Set Clear Boundaries

Boundaries protect your energy and self-respect. If your partner consistently ignores your needs, make it clear what you will and won’t accept.

4. Encourage Effort from Both Sides

For a relationship to grow, both partners need to contribute. Suggest small, actionable steps—like alternating who plans dates or initiates conversations.

This is part of making the relationship work.

5. Consider Couples Therapy

If poor communication or unresolved issues persist, therapy can help both partners learn new skills to reconnect.

6. Know When to Walk Away

Sometimes, no matter how much effort you put in, your partner won’t change. If the one sided relationship continues to leave you feeling drained, it may be time to consider whether staying is healthy. Remember: a relationship should make you feel safe, valued, and cared for.

When It’s Time to Move On

Recognizing that it may be time to end a one sided relationship is painful, but staying in one that consistently hurts your self-esteem can be worse.

If you’ve communicated openly, set boundaries, and still feel like one person investing more energy, it may signal that your partner isn’t equally invested. At that point, it could be time to move on and invest in healthier relationships where effort flows both ways.

Final Thoughts

A one sided relationship often begins subtly but can gradually take a heavy toll. When one person gives more than the other, resentment builds, and even love may not be enough to sustain the connection.

The good news is that imbalance doesn’t always mean the end. With honest dialogue, effort from both sides, and sometimes professional support, you can rebuild balance.

But if your relationship feels exclusively like one person investing while the other does nothing, it may be time to choose your well-being. You deserve a relationship where love, energy, and effort are shared equally.