Let’s get one thing straight: if Excel had a formula for love, you’d have solved it by now.
But relationships? They don’t care about your bulletproof calendar or how many performance reviews you’ve crushed this quarter. Nope. Love can turn even the sharpest, most capable working woman into a master excuse-maker , especially when you’re juggling 9-to-5s, side hustles, laundry piles, and the emotional labor of carrying dead-end relationships.
So, let’s spill the tea: here are 7 excuses that are keeping you stuck with the wrong person, and exactly how to call B.S. on every single one.
1. “But I’ve already invested so much time.”
Ah, the sunk cost fallacy: it’s not just for business meetings anymore.
You’ve been together for years. You’ve shared apartments, pets, Netflix passwords, and God forbid , a houseplant or two. The idea of walking away feels like throwing away an entire era of your life.
But here’s the truth: Time invested in the wrong person won’t turn them into the right one. The longer you stay, the more life you trade for a relationship that isn’t giving you what you deserve.
Boss Move: Time is a non-refundable resource. Start treating it like the precious commodity it is. Imagine using that same time to nurture yourself, your friendships, or meet someone who actually matches your vibe.
2. “I’m just too busy to deal with a breakup.”
Queen, you schedule back-to-back meetings like a pro, but you can’t pencil in a little self-respect?
Sure, breakups aren’t exactly convenient. But neither is living on emotional autopilot, feeling underwhelmed and overlooked, while your heart gathers dust.
Boss Move: Give yourself permission to prioritize your happiness, even if it means disrupting your “perfectly” packed life. A breakup might be hard, but settling is harder , and lasts way longer.
3. “Maybe I’m expecting too much.”
Raise your hand if you’ve ever told yourself this after another disappointing conversation or a canceled date.
If you’re ambitious at work, you’ve been conditioned to “manage expectations.” But love isn’t a quarterly report. Wanting emotional connection, mutual respect, and someone who texts back without ghosting is not “too much.” It’s the bare minimum.
Boss Move: Replace “too much” with “just enough for me.” Your standards aren’t the problem , your settling is.
4. “At least I’m not alone.”
Ah, the classic “better than nothing” excuse. Loneliness can mess with your head, especially after long days where your biggest human interaction was a Slack notification.
But being “not alone” with the wrong person is the loneliest feeling in the world.
Boss Move: Being alone isn’t a problem. Being stuck in the wrong relationship is. Reclaim your solo time and start using it to recharge, reflect, and remember who you are outside of a couple.
5. “They have so much potential.”
Listen, you’re dating a human, not an entry-level intern you’re trying to mentor into a CEO.
“Potential” is future-based fantasy; relationships are lived in the present. If you’re constantly waiting for them to evolve, grow up, or magically become the partner you need, you’ve basically hired yourself as their unpaid emotional life coach.
Boss Move: Date people for who they are today, not their theoretical upgrades. You deserve a partner, not a project.
6. “It’s not that bad.”
Sis, the bar is underground.
If you find yourself constantly justifying bad behavior by comparing it to worse scenarios (“At least they don’t cheat,” “At least they don’t hit me”), that’s survival-mode thinking, not thriving-mode living.
Boss Move: Stop grading on a curve. If the relationship leaves you drained more than it fills your cup, it’s time to choose better , or choose yourself.
7. “I don’t want to start over.”
The dreaded “R-word” , restart. The thought of re-downloading dating apps, enduring small talk, and pretending to like matcha lattes during awkward first dates can feel more exhausting than your Monday workload.
But staying stuck out of fear isn’t saving you from pain. It’s guaranteeing it.
Boss Move: Starting over isn’t failure. It’s a fresh draft. And this time, you’re writing the love story with the main character (you) in mind first.
Mic Drop Moment:
You can keep making excuses , or you can start making space for the love and life you actually deserve. Your move, gorgeous.
Now spill it: Which excuse hit you hardest? Let’s talk in the comments.