Is it Wrong to End Your Relationship to Focus on Your Career?

There’s nothing wrong with saying ‘yes’ to your career goals and ‘no’ to a relationship that won’t serve you in the long-term. While a healthy relationship can help you grow, the wrong one can hold you back, making splitting up the right choice. We explore what you should consider if you’re choosing to end your relationship to advance your career. 

Career focus = future financial independence

In the early stages of your career, focusing on your work journey will reap long-term financial benefits. With years in front of you to build your experience, learn and progress, you can plan towards being in a strong financial position that will bring you more choices, freedom and a strong sense of self-confidence. Being independent financially can also lessen the risk of being stuck in a relationship where you are dependent on your partner. 

Career focus in your twenties  

Change happens more significantly as we move through our twenties. As you take on more responsibilities, and shift from your carefree youth, your opinions and beliefs often alter. Focussing on career development at this stage can help with personal growth and help you realise more about who you are. The work and effort you put into your working life typically pays off, while the success of a relationship is more unpredictable. While relationships started when you are younger are not necessarily doomed, there is a greater chance that the person you were when you got together with your partner, is different from who you are five years later. 

Relationships take time and investment 

All relationships require time and energy, whether you’re in the early stages or have been together for many years. Gradually, this investment can erode the time you need to put into advancing your career. If you are finding it hard to commit time to your work and you are feeling resentful about your relationship, it could be a sign that you need to think seriously about your future. If you are cancelling dates and prioritising working late for a date night, then it’s also time to be honest and fair with your partner. 

Communication and self-reflection  

If you are in the dating stages but also dedicated to progressing in your career, it’s important to be open with a prospective new partner from the offset. This helps avoid upset for both of you in the future and prevents you from stringing someone along who may be at the right time in their lives for a serious relationship. Speak to yourself too, and ask whether or not splitting up is really going to make you happy and help you pursue your goals. It is possible to have a successful relationship and career at the same time, but there is pressure on women to have it all, and live up to everyone else’s expectations. If you have decided not to break up, make sure you are doing so for the right reasons. 

Finally…

Focusing on yourself in your younger years is a smart move. It’s the optimum time to excel in the workplace and be noticed. Being successful often means going the extra mile, putting in more time, volunteering, and going out of your way to achieve a result or finish a project. Being in a relationship can throw a curveball into your plans, so, if being in a relationship is what you want, ensure you are with someone who appreciates or matches your level of ambition.