Every relationship has its ups and downs, but sometimes, the signs start pointing to a potential end.

This can often be confusing and difficult to decode, especially when your partner isn’t being straightforward.

According to psychology, there are subtle signs that indicate a man might be trying to ease out of a relationship. These signs aren’t always obvious, but they’re present if you look closely.

In this article, we will explore nine of these subtle signs.

By the end of it, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what might be going on in your relationship. 

1) Communication starts to fade

One of the first signs a man is trying to ease his way out of a relationship is a noticeable decrease in communication.

When a relationship is healthy and thriving, communication is consistent and meaningful. You share your thoughts, experiences, hopes, and fears with each other.

This kind of open dialogue helps to build and strengthen the bond between partners.

However, when a man begins to pull away from a relationship, this communication often starts to dwindle.

Over time, the meaningful conversations may become fewer and farther between.

The texts might become less frequent, calls might be shorter or more sporadic, or he may seem disinterested in what you have to say.

While it’s normal for communication to ebb and flow in any relationship, a sustained decrease could be a sign that he’s slowly trying to distance himself.

Remember though, it’s important not to jump to conclusions based solely on this sign. Instead, try to engage him in conversation about it.

If he continues to be distant or dismissive, then it might be time to delve deeper into what’s really going on.

2) Less interested in spending time together

Another sign that a man might be easing out of a relationship is a change in how he perceives ‘quality time’.

I remember when I was in a relationship where we used to spend every possible moment together.

Be it watching movies, cooking dinner or even simply grocery shopping, every task was an opportunity for us to bond.

But over time, I noticed a shift.

The movie nights became sporadic, dinners were often solo, and grocery shopping was a task he preferred doing alone.

He started prioritizing time alone or with friends over spending time with me.

It wasn’t an abrupt change but a gradual one.

He would often have an excuse ready:

• Work deadlines
• An impromptu meetup with friends
• Needing some ‘me’ time

All valid reasons on their own, but when strung together over weeks and months, they painted a different picture.

This withdrawal from shared activities is often a subtle sign that he might be distancing himself from the relationship.

While everyone needs their personal space and time away from their partner, if you notice a consistent pattern of this, it might be a sign that he’s trying to ease his way out of the relationship.

3) Emotional unavailability

Being emotionally available is key to any healthy relationship. It involves:

• Being open to discussing feelings
• Showing empathy
• Having the ability to connect on an emotional level

However, when a man is trying to ease his way out of a relationship, he might become emotionally unavailable.

This could manifest as him:

• Avoiding deep conversations
• Dismissing your feelings
• Not sharing his own emotions and thoughts

Interestingly, according to a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, men are often more emotionally affected by relationship issues than women.

This might explain why some men become emotionally unavailable when they are considering a breakup – it’s a defense mechanism to protect their own feelings.

Emotional unavailability doesn’t always mean the end is near.

But if it’s coupled with other signs, it’s worth having a conversation about what’s really going on in your relationship.

4) Changes in affection

Affection is a key way we express love and care in a relationship.

This could be in the form of physical touch, like holding hands or cuddling, or verbal expressions, like saying “I love you” or giving compliments.

According to psychology, a change in the level of affection a man shows is a common sign that he’s trying to ease out of the relationship.

But what exactly does this look like?

• No longer initiating physical contact 
• Being less responsive to your displays of affection
• Less frequent compliments
• No longer saying he loves you

It’s important to remember that everyone has different ways of showing affection and these can fluctuate over time.

However, if you notice a significant decrease in affection that doesn’t seem tied to other stressors, it might be worth addressing the issue directly with him.

It could be a sign that he’s emotionally distancing himself as he tries to navigate his feelings about the relationship.

5) Avoiding future plans

Thinking about and planning for the future is a natural part of any long-term relationship.

Whether it’s planning a vacation, discussing career moves, or even talking about moving in together, these conversations show a commitment to building a shared future.

However, if a man starts avoiding conversations about the future, it could be a subtle sign he’s trying to ease his way out of the relationship.

He might change the subject when you bring up future plans or be vague and non-committal when pushed for answers.

This avoidance can stem from a fear of leading you on or creating expectations he’s unsure he can meet.

It could also be a way for him to avoid confronting his own feelings about the relationship.

If you notice this pattern, it might be time to have an open and honest conversation about where your relationship is heading.

6) Less effort to resolve conflicts

In every relationship, conflicts and disagreements are inevitable. What really matters is how we handle these situations.

A healthy relationship involves both partners making an effort to understand, compromise and resolve the issues at hand.

But, when a man is trying to back out of a relationship, his approach to conflict resolution might change drastically.

You might notice that he’s putting less effort into resolving disagreements.

Instead of talking things out, he may become more dismissive, indifferent or even avoidant.

It’s as if the fights don’t matter anymore because deep down, he feels the relationship doesn’t either.

This can be incredibly heartbreaking, especially when you still care deeply for him and want to make things work.

But remember, you can’t be the only one fighting for the relationship. It takes two hands to clap.

If he’s not willing to resolve conflicts and work towards a healthier relationship, it could be a sign that he’s trying to ease his way out.

7) Unreliable behavior

Research shows that reliability is a cornerstone of any strong relationship. Knowing you can count on your partner provides a sense of security and trust.

In one of my past relationships, I noticed a shift in my partner’s reliability.

Suddenly, the man who used to always show up on time started showing up late or even cancelling plans last minute.

The promises to help out with chores or meet my friends were often forgotten or disregarded. It felt like I couldn’t rely on him anymore, which left me feeling insecure and anxious.

This unreliability could be another subtle sign that he’s trying to ease his way out of the relationship. It might be his way of creating distance or showing that he’s not as invested in the relationship as he once was.

If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s important to express your feelings and discuss the issue with your partner.

Changes in behavior, especially concerning reliability, should not be overlooked as they can greatly impact the dynamics of a relationship.

8) Increased criticism

Constructive criticism is a part of any healthy relationship. It helps us grow, improve, and become better versions of ourselves.

However, when criticism becomes more frequent and less constructive, it might be a sign that something’s off.

If a man is trying to ease his way out of a relationship, he might start finding faults more often. These criticisms might not be major issues but small, seemingly insignificant things.

His tone might change too, becoming less gentle and more harsh.

This increase in criticism could be his way of pushing you away or creating conflict to justify his feelings of wanting to leave.

It’s important to remember that everyone has flaws and no one deserves to be constantly criticised. If you notice this pattern, it’s worth addressing the issue directly with him to understand what’s really going on.

9) You feel it in your gut

Trust your instincts.

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not.

You know your relationship and your partner better than anyone else. If you consistently feel like something is off, don’t ignore those feelings.

Your intuition is a powerful tool, often alerting you of issues before they become apparent.

If you sense that your partner is trying to ease his way out of the relationship, it’s worth opening up a conversation about it.

Heart of the matter: It’s about communication and understanding

The signs in this article, subtle as they may be, can offer valuable insights into what a man might be feeling.

However, they don’t replace the importance of open communication and understanding.

So if you notice these signs in your relationship, it might be time to have an earnest conversation with your partner.

But rather than accusing or blaming, try to understand and empathize with him. Listen and give your man space to express his feelings without judgment.

Doing so won’t just help you understand what is going on with your man, it will also nurture more understanding and compassion in your future relationships.