The Invisible Pain of Being in a One-Sided Relationship
- Dr Arati Bh
- May 24
- 3 min read
You care deeply. You show up, initiate, listen, support, and give—again and again. But somewhere deep inside, you know you're the only one really trying. The emotional labor is yours alone.You’re not just tired. You feel unseen, unappreciated, and emotionally abandoned. This is the silent ache of a one-sided relationship—and it’s more common than we like to admit.
What Is a One-Sided Relationship?
A one-sided relationship is an emotional dynamic where one partner consistently invests more time, energy, affection, and commitment than the other. It can exist in romantic relationships, friendships, and even family bonds.
Signs You’re in a One-Sided Relationship:
You’re always the one initiating conversations or plans.
You feel drained instead of supported.
Your needs are often dismissed or minimised.
The relationship revolves around their emotions, not yours.
You feel anxious, insecure, or unsure where you stand.
Why It Hurts So Much
What makes one-sided relationships uniquely painful is the emotional confusion they create. You’re constantly giving love, hoping it will eventually be returned with the same sincerity. But it rarely is.
The emotional impact includes:
Self-doubt: “Am I expecting too much?”
Loneliness: Even though you’re “with” someone.
Guilt: For wanting your needs to matter.
Burnout: From carrying the relationship emotionally.
The worst part? Others might not see it. From the outside, it may appear functional—even ideal. But inside, you feel empty and invisible.
Why We Stay
If it feels so painful, why do so many people stay in one-sided relationships?
1. Fear of Abandonment
We fear being alone more than being emotionally unfulfilled. This fear often stems from childhood emotional neglect or inconsistent caregiving.
2. Low Self-Worth
You might feel you have to overgive to be loved. You believe if you just try harder, they’ll finally see your worth.
3. Hope for Change
You remember glimpses of connection—early intimacy, brief affection—and hold on, believing things will go back to how they “used to be.”
4. Conditioning
Especially in Indian families, women and empaths are often taught to suppress their needs and keep the peace, even at great personal cost.
The Emotional Labor You Carry Alone
In a one-sided dynamic, you become:
The planner
The peacemaker
The emotional therapist
The motivator
The fixer
But who holds you?Who checks in with your feelings?Who meets your emotional needs?
When you begin to ask these questions, you're waking up to the imbalance.
Healing from a One-Sided Relationship
1. Validate Your Pain
You’re not “too emotional.” You’re not “needy.” You are human, with valid emotional needs. Wanting reciprocity is not wrong—it’s healthy.
2. Set Emotional Boundaries
Ask: What am I always giving? What am I never receiving? Start by pulling back the over giving, and observe the response. Silence often reveals truth.
3. Reconnect with Your Self-Worth
Love shouldn’t be something you earn through sacrifice. It should be freely given, mutual, and safe.
4. Seek Support
Healing from emotional neglect and codependency takes courage. Therapy can help you identify why you overextend and how to rebuild your emotional identity.
What Healthy Love Looks Like
Mutual care and effort
Safe emotional expression
Being seen, heard, and valued
Shared responsibility in connection
A balance of giving and receiving
If this feels unfamiliar, don’t blame yourself. Many of us are just learning what healthy love truly feels like—for the first time.
You deserve more than a relationship that survives—you deserve one that nourishes.
At SereinMind, I work with individuals and couples to help them untangle emotional patterns, build self-trust, and reclaim the love they give so freely—for themselves.
If you're exhausted from over giving and aching to feel truly seen, book a confidential session with Dr. Arati Bhatt at www.SereinMind.com.You don’t have to carry the relationship alone anymore.
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