What Happens When One Partner Gives and the Other Just Takes?

In every relationship, there’s a dance of giving and receiving—a rhythm that keeps the connection alive, balanced, and fulfilling. But what happens when one person takes and takes, while the other endlessly gives? When the reciprocity of love and effort becomes so lopsided that the giver starts to shrink, and the taker never looks back? This isn’t just an occasional rough patch or a momentary imbalance—it’s a red flag, a sign that something deeper is at play. Relationships aren’t meant to be perfectly 50/50, but they’re also not meant to feel like an unpaid internship or a one-sided contract. If you’re giving endlessly without receiving, or taking without ever giving in return, it’s time to ask yourself: why? What does this imbalance reveal about you, your partner, and the dynamics you’re caught in? And most importantly, what’s it costing you?