Psychotherapist reveals the innocent-looking new habits that should ring alarm bells if your partner adopts them - and what they really mean

Is your partner forgetting the small details of how you met? Or maybe he's turned his LinkedIn private, or arranging visits to his parents without you.

Perhaps they're turning to ChatGPT, journaling apps, 'mindset' tools, or voice-note AI coaches for comfort and emotional support. All these behaviours and more are subtle signs that your relationship is in trouble, according to a psychotherapist.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, London-based Marygrace Anderson revealed the quiet innocent-looking traits from your other half that could signal they're thinking about divorce or breaking up. 

The certified hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and founder of MG Hypnosis said that the behaviours can be 'very easily dismissed as part of everyday life', adding that this is 'exactly why many couples overlook them for far too long'.

'Even when our conscious mind isn’t paying attention, your unconscious mind will be telling you there is trouble. Listen to your intuition or gut,' revealed Marygrace.

'You can tell yourself you are overthinking and often make excuses, but when behaviours feel unsettling and are repeated, it is time to take note.

'It is important to recognise the difference between a one-off incident and a repeated pattern - if it's repeated then it usually signals a deeper issue.'

Read on to explore the eight subtle signs that your relationship is in trouble, according to the expert... 

They are suddenly private about LinkedIn

'Not Instagram. Not WhatsApp. LinkedIn. He used to be visible online, but now his LinkedIn profile is hidden and you notice that his connections are no longer public, or he gets a little jumpy if you mention who the person is who keeps commenting and liking his work posts,' revealed the psychotherapist.

'In 2026, LinkedIn has quietly become the go-to network for flirting but under the guise of networking. Especially with old flames who come out of the woodwork.

'It is also an easier way to catch your partner out as they may be a little more brazen about their online communications over other social networks. 

'If you are finding your partner is being more secretive around LinkedIn privacy or gets defensive then you should consciously pay attention to that shift.'

They’ve started using AI as their emotional outlet and not you

'You notice they’re constantly on ChatGPT, journaling apps, 'mindset' tools, or voice-note AI coaches,' said the expert.

'At first you assume it was just a bit of help with work or for self-improvement but you start to notice it especially more on bad days - perhaps a rough day at work or after a conflict. 

'Their go-to processing tool starts to be AI instead of talking things through with you. They appear less connected to you and start saying things like they asked ChatGPT and it said X or Y.

'This action can quietly signal that they no longer feel seen or understood in the relationship.

'Emotional intimacy isn’t just about sharing problems, it's important they feel you are their first port of call when they need a shoulder to cry on, to let off steam or some advice.

'This is no longer the case if technology is getting in the way and that’s now their sounding board.'

They arrange family visits and leave you out

The psychotherapist said: 'If your partner repeatedly arranges outings or family visits on their side and leaves you out, pay attention.

'It might be a mother, a father-in-law, siblings. You may not even love going. But when you are in a committed relationship - married or not - you are one family.

'If invitations shift and you are no longer included in days out, visits, or family occasions that you would previously have attended together, that is significant. It can feel like you are being boxed off and deliberately excluded.

'It doesn't necessarily signal that conversations are happening about the relationship that you are not part of, but it does indicate a conscious divide instigated by your partner. It can mean they are starting to separate their life from yours.

'Being excluded repeatedly can create a subtle but powerful sense of displacement - as though your role in their life is quietly being reduced. It might be a matter of time before they have the break-up conversation with you.'

They upgrade their appearance - but not for you

'You start to spot a noticeable change in their appearance - they have had a glow-up and get a little defensive when you start to tease them about it,' explained Marygrace.

'What starts to feel worrying is the sudden glow-up or extra attention to their appearance at specific events - and they do not involve you. 

'Extra attention to detail before certain outings such as at meetings, work conferences, out for drinks, at the gym. 

'But at home or out with you, there is minimal effort and no change. It’s not about attractiveness. It’s about where the energy is going and why.

'When someone starts directing their mating-display cues outward rather than inward, it can indicate their validation is no longer coming from the relationship and they are consciously seeking that validation elsewhere. 

'This might scream affair signals but also a warning sign that there is something off in the relationship and you both need to address this energy shift - before a potential line is crossed.'

They start rewriting your relationship history

Marygrace revealed: 'They’re not doing the obvious by deleting photos or making dramatic announcements, but the way they start to talk about your relationship or story or history together changes.

'At first you assume they can't remember the details but they start to regularly downplay things or literally try and rewrite history. 

'For instance, when someone asks how you met or when they recall an important memory, the story firstly gets shorter before a detail then seems to change.

'It might seem like you are being petty to correct the story because the details matter to you but you should be more concerned about the small but psychological meaning of this action - the human mind is wired to reduce emotional discomfort, and if someone is beginning to detach, it creates tension to admit the relationship once felt meaningful - therefore what we start to see is the brain softens the memories and reshapes the narrative to emotionally prepare and protect themselves from a future break-up. 

'As a psychotherapist, I often see that people don’t leave all at once; they start by rewriting the story so the ending hurts less and the memory reconstruction is the first sign your partner might be looking to end the relationship.'

They show up in public but are distant in private

'Around other people, they might appear attentive. They say the right things. They show superficial attention to indicate all is well,' explained the psychotherapist.

'But at home there is a sudden change in behaviour towards you. At home they are withdrawn and distant. Home time starts to feel more like a flat-share than a family. It feels noticeable and off-putting.

'Emotional withdrawal can signal detachment from the relationship, therefore it’s important to address this before more distance gets in the middle.'

They turn their phone face down - but only at home

Marygrace explained: 'He has started the habit of not leaving his phone unlocked around you - rather meticulously.

'When you are sitting together and they are finished using their phone, the screen goes down every time.

'That small action can create psychological distance and signals "there's something here I don’t want you to see."'

'Your nervous system can pick up on these mini-shifts long before your conscious mind does, so try and pay attention to repeated patterns over one-off occasions as it can indicate they are hiding something.'

You feel anxious about your relationship but can't put your finger on it

'Sometimes there isn’t one big dramatic issue,' said Marygrace. 'It’s just a niggling feeling that something feels off.

'You may feel unseen or you may feel unimportant in your partner's eyes. This isn’t just about marriage. It applies to anyone in a committed relationship - living together, long-term partners, or serious dating.

'These behaviours can be fixable. But they are signals and the real question is: when you raise it, are you heard?

'Because healthy relationships aren’t perfect - but they are responsive. When someone cares, they adjust. When they don’t, the quiet behaviours start to speak very loudly.

'If communication feels stuck or defensive, seeking professional support through couples therapy can provide a safe space to explore what is really happening beneath the surface.

'Rather than grieving what has already gone, if you both love each other, you can repair the relationship.

'Remember that trust and emotional security in relationships can be rebuilt through small, consistent actions. The earlier you address the shift, the easier it is to reconnect before resentment becomes entrenched.'