Remember the feeling of butterflies in your stomach in the early stages of your relationship? Or the spark you felt when you first held hands or shared a kiss? But now, after years of being together, does being with your partner feel normal– like you are staying with a housemate? As a couple, most of your ‘we-time’ has turned into scheduling some alone time amid kids’ classes, decoding each other’s passive-aggressive sighs, or negotiating whose turn it is to do the household chores. Love now feels like a second shift after a hectic day at work– complete with performance reviews that often sound like "We need to talk..." and hardly any vacation days. If this is how your relationship has transformed, then worry not, as you are not alone. In our hustle-obsessed world, most people end up treating their relationships like dead-end jobs - clocking in together time, calling home, and wondering if the relationship will last long. But why? And how do we get out of this relationship rut before resentment wins over your bond?

Why relationships feel like dead-end jobs

Picture your partnership as that entry-level office job you took "just for now." Early days were electric with late nights laughing over takeout, dreaming big, having goals together. Fast-forward to the present day, after years of being together: Chores pile up, conflicts repeat on loop, and intimacy is something you hardly have. Also, when reality hits, romance dwindles over time: Dual incomes, ageing parents, endless notifications. Most couples simply get bogged down with life’s challenges– they aren’t fighting, but simply existing.

No wonder then that "gray divorces" have spiked among people over-50s, as many empty-nesters realise they’ve been roommates, not lovers for so long.

Warning signs to watch out for

Here we list some warning signs to watch out for in your relationship that signal your connection needs more time and attention:1. The monotony: Conversations stuck on logistics ("Who’s getting the groceries?" Or "Who will pay the bills?"), starved of dreams or desire.2. Scorekeeping: Every favour is tallied like overtime hours, breeding scorecards ("I cooked last time!").3. Resentment: That sigh when they forget your coffee order? It’s not petty; it’s exhaustion signalling unmet needs.4. Physical touch and intimacy have reached an all-time low, or they feel like mandatory team-building tasks.The worst is when you look forward to alone time instead of planning a date night!Relationship experts call it "relationship burnout." Just like job fatigue, relationship burnout happens from work/ chores overload without any recharge time.Another reason for many relationships falling apart these days is that most people try to extract joy instead of sharing it with their partner, famous spiritual guru Sadhguru once said in a video. That’s turning partners into fixers and reducing happiness in our relationships. But when people start giving more in their relationship and to their partner, then it helps build long-lasting relationships.

How to bring the spark back in your relationships

If your relationship feels like a chore, then worry not, as the good news is: Unlike a toxic boss, you can rewrite the script in a marriage. Start raw - schedule a "no-agenda" walk, talk about your fears and problems without fixing them. Being vulnerable to your partner helps reconnect and bring the spark back into your life.Also, fill your cup first before pouring it. Rediscover joy solo first: Hit the gym, journal your thoughts and feelings. People who are happy share their abundance, not voids, with their partners.And, protect and prioritise your "us time".Remember, relationships aren’t jobs - they’re gardens needing daily tending. When love feels laborious, it’s a cue that you need to nurture your relationship. Reclaim romance in your relationship as rebellion against grind culture. That initial magic? It’s reclaimable - with one intentional step at a time.