Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Many people get caught up in a common relationship dilemma: they find someone who fulfills 80% of their needs, but instead of appreciating what they have, they focus on the 20% that’s missing. The 80% often includes the important things—like emotional support, loyalty, or shared values—but because the 20% is lacking, they become fixated on it. It could be something like physical attraction, a particular lifestyle, or even just a personality trait. Over time, that missing piece becomes all they can think about, and they begin to wonder if they could have everything by looking elsewhere.
Here’s where things start to unravel. The chase for the missing 20% begins. It’s not that the partner with the 80% has suddenly changed, but in their eyes, they no longer see the value in what they already have. That 20% becomes magnified, and soon it feels like the only thing that matters. Maybe they start comparing their partner to other people, thinking about how much “better” life would be with someone who possesses that 20%. They convince themselves that they deserve more and that the missing piece is worth risking everything they already have.
So, what happens next? They meet someone else. This new person might have the exact 20% they’ve been craving. Maybe she’s more outgoing, more adventurous, or fits the image they have in their mind of the “perfect” partner. At first, everything feels exciting and new. It’s thrilling to finally have what they thought they were missing. But after a while, reality sets in.
ALSO READ
The initial excitement wears off, and they begin to realize that while this new person may have the 20%, she doesn’t have the 80% that truly matters. That deep emotional connection, the stability, and the compatibility they once enjoyed are gone. They start to feel the void, the absence of everything that made their previous relationship solid. And it hits them hard—they gave up someone who had almost everything they needed for someone who could only offer a small piece of the puzzle.
This is the moment where regret creeps in. They realize the 20% wasn’t nearly as important as they thought. It wasn’t worth the trade-off. But by the time they come to this realization, it’s often too late. The partner they left behind, the one who gave them 80%, has likely moved on. Now, they’re stuck with someone who only has the 20% they once thought would make them happy but doesn’t.
It’s a painful lesson, one that many people learn the hard way. The truth is, no relationship is perfect. Everyone will have things that are missing or aspects that could be improved. But the key is to appreciate what you have and understand that no one will ever give you 100%. The 80% you have is likely far more valuable than the 20% you’re chasing.
So, how can we avoid falling into this trap? The answer lies in shifting our focus. Instead of fixating on what’s missing, we need to remind ourselves of what we have. It’s about gratitude—being thankful for the good things your partner brings to your life. Think about how they make you feel loved, how they support you when times are tough, and how you can be yourself around them. These things are priceless, and no amount of the “missing” 20% can replace that.
Sometimes, it’s easy to be blinded by what we don’t have, but in doing so, we risk losing what’s truly important. That 20% may seem tempting, but at the end of the day, it’s not what builds a lasting relationship. The 80%—the foundation of trust, love, and companionship—is what keeps relationships strong. Chasing after the 20% can lead to regret, so it’s crucial to recognize the value in what we already have before it’s too late.
In relationships, it’s easy to think that something better is just around the corner. But often, the real treasure is right in front of us. And when we start to appreciate that, we realize that the 80% is more than enough to make us happy.
Discover more from News Round The Clock
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
