Let me guess.

He used to be completely obsessed with you, but now – a few weeks, months, or years later – that passion and devotion are just… missing.

A huge part of what made your connection so great used to be how much effort you put into each other, but these days, it seems like you’re just drifting along with the current.

Slowly but surely, you’ve begun to wonder whether the man in question has lost interest in you.

Don’t worry – I’ve got you.

Here are the 6 subtle behaviors to watch out for.

1) He’s suddenly too “busy” or “stressed” to spend quality time with you

Many people think that relationships can withstand the test of time just by… not breaking up, essentially.

But this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, it is often a lack of any real effort that’s the main cause of relationships crumbling apart, losing that spark, and eventually coming to a complete halt.

The truth of the matter is that it is our closest relationships – rather than our job, social standing, or material possessions – that determine our happiness the most.

(Don’t just take my word for it – research backs this up.)

This means that a man who has his priorities straight and who values your relationship is going to find a way to make time for you. Yes, even when he’s busy or stressed.

Of course, I’m not saying he should spend every waking hour with you even though he has to study for exams or look after his younger siblings.

It’s important for both partners to have their own hobbies, responsibilities, friendships, and projects outside the relationship that fulfil them on a deep level.

What I am saying is that a romantic relationship is a huge deal and it deserves to be prioritized.

Be it a weekly date night, an hour every evening (if you live together) where you bond and re-connect, or a fun activity on a Sunday afternoon, it’s vital that you put effort into nourishing your connection.

If the man you’re dating doesn’t actively want to spend time with you, it may be the first sign he’s lost interest and keeps the relationship going simply because it’s convenient and comfortable.

2) He doesn’t ask you about your day anymore

Love is about the simple things. From filling up the glass of water that stands on your bedside table to asking you how your day was, a man who cares for you isn’t just going to say that.

His actions will speak loud and clear.

And asking about your day – and genuinely listening to what you have to say, including asking follow-up questions and providing a commentary – is one such action.

In one of my past relationships, I could tell that my ex was beginning to lose interest when he no longer asked me about my day at university or what I was up to when he was away visiting his family.

Our conversations revolved mainly around his own interests, but when it came to my own life and passion projects, it felt like talking to a wall.

I knew I could only talk about myself for a limited amount of time before he lost interest, and what’s more, his questions usually didn’t come from a place of genuine curiosity but rather obligation or politeness.

If a man cares about you as a person, he will want to get to know you. More importantly, he will strive to *keep* getting to know you no matter how long you’ve been together for.

Simple as.

3) He’s not as protective over you as he used to

Most men are protective over their partners – even if just a tiny bit.

If you’re walking home at night, he’ll offer to come meet you halfway so that you don’t go alone all the way.

If you’re out partying with friends, he’ll message you to make sure you’re alright.

If you go on a trip together, he’ll remember to pack your medication because he knows you always forget.

Whatever it is, his main goal is for you to be happy, healthy, and safe, and he’ll endeavor to help you reach that state, even if just a little.

This is why a very effective way to recognize whether a man has lost interest in you is to see if he’s just as protective as he used to be back when you began dating or if he’s not as attentive anymore.

He might tell you to walk home alone because he’s in the middle of playing a video game. He might not reach out when you’re out because he trusts you’ll be fine.

Remember: sometimes, it truly is about the little things. The moment his protectiveness begins to disappear…

Yep, it’s the third sign he may not be as into you as he once was.

4) He tries to end conflicts rather than solve them

Listen up. This one’s very important.

A man who cares about you and the relationship you’ve built together will want this to work in the long run. And that means he’ll try to be honest about his own needs and wants while also striving to respect yours.

In other words, he’ll always look at a problem as something you two can overcome together if only you communicate effectively and work as a team, not as something that puts you against one another.

A man who’s lost interest might flip out or storm out when you bring up a certain issue, unable to respect your boundaries and solve the conflict maturely and productively.

But the strategy many more men go for is one that serves to placate you or dismiss you.

He might respond to your suggestions by waving his hand and mumbling, “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you want.”

He might agree with you on every point in an argument just so that it ends quickly and he doesn’t have to invest his energy into it anymore.

He might even lie about his true feelings on certain matters just to prevent an argument from arising, thereby hiding his authentic self from you.

In a nutshell, he aims to end conflicts rather than solve them because his main goal isn’t to see your relationship thrive; it’s to exist in a comfortable yet unfulfilling state of limbo.

5) He turns to other people for help and affection

Remember that ex I mentioned who no longer asked about my day (or anything about myself, really)?

Well, he also fell into the habit of confiding in his friends rather than me.

If he had an issue, he’d quickly brief me on it, but then he’d have a three-hour heart-to-heart with a not-co-close friend, seeking their counsel and emotional support even though I was perfectly happy and able to give him both.

Of course, this wasn’t only because he’d lost interest – he also had an avoidant attachment style, which meant that he felt more comfortable sharing himself with people he hadn’t known for that long than with those who got far too close to him – but his lack of desire to connect with me definitely played a role.

Your romantic partner is someone you might potentially want to spend the rest of your life with.

If you don’t turn to them for affection, advice, and help, what does that say about the strength of your relationship? What does it say about the core foundations of it?

Just some food for thought.

6) He’s becoming more critical of you

Finally, this may be the most hurtful one.

While it’s perfectly normal for people in romantic relationships to occasionally critize each other’s behavior or to dislike certain things, a man who begins to criticize you far more often than he used to may have had a change of heart.

This isn’t the only alternative, of course. Your own behavior may have changed or you might have just entered that tumultuous phase where both of your true colors are finally showing and you’re not quite sure how to deal with all the sudden obstacles standing in your way.

But if this sign is paired up with the other five on this list…

I’m sorry to say the man you’re dating may have lost interest.

The good news?

You’re worth so much more than someone who doesn’t value and appreciate you in all your beauty. You’re not anyone’s maybe or almost.

And there are plenty of people out there in the world who will see you and love you for who you are. I guarantee that.