Why Do Some Relationships Start Out So Well but Turn Bad?

When we seek out partners, we’re  actually attracted to the familiar. We want someone sufficiently similar to what we know, but perhaps with enough novelty to keep it interesting.

In those early months of a relationship, we are flooded with love hormones which literally give us rose coloured glasses. We rarely see our partner’s faults, if there is a strong attraction.

After about twelve to eighteen months, this infatuation stage is replaced with a calmer and less rosy view.

In other words, we begin to see them more realistically and for some people this can be a deal breaker. Without the wild passion, there may not be enough to keep the couple together.

Another explanation is that people can be frightened of making a commitment to a longer-term relationship for many good reasons. They might not  have experienced role models who provided a template for a committed, equal, and respectful relationship. Or past relationship difficulties may have left wounds that haven’t been attended to.

Or a person’s own style of attachment security may not make it easy for them to accept love or easily express it to another.

These are a few possible explanations why a good beginning doesn’t necessarily result in a happy ending!