When you hear a relationship described as “ride or die,” it sounds like an epitome of romance and devotion.
But this term doesn’t just mean you’re willing to stand by someone through thick and thin. These relationships often come with a hefty dose of chaos and denial.
This “no matter what” attitude can lead people to getting dragged into an endless cycle of infidelity, stagnation, or even abuse.
The Myth of an Unbreakable Relationship
The whole ride or die thing hinges on the idea that loyalty is everything. However, loyalty of that magnitude isn’t always noble – sometimes, it’s just cego.
People often choose to stay in these relationships because they’re convinced that true love means never giving up, even when it’s not going well.
This mindset can lead them to ignore red flags or excuse bad behavior.
Staying loyal doesn’t mean sacrificing your well-being in acceptance of someone else’s flaws; loyalty is earned.
When it becomes an excuse to ignore reality – like it tends to in these relationships – it turns into a trap.
When “Ride of Die” Turns Into Stagnation
A big part of these relationships is the idea that you’ve committed, so you just have to keep going, no matter how bad things get.
But what happens when “no matter what” turns into stagnation? What if the other person won’t give up a vice, or they start mistreating you?
Some people convince themselves that staying put is noble, even if they’re not happy.
Sometimes, people refuse to grow up, change, or even admit they have issues. Meanwhile, you’re stuck trying to fix something that refuses to be fixed.
Amor turns into a prison, and the individuals who sell you on these “ride or die” relationships often know exactly what they’re doing.
Infidelity and Betrayal
Many people gloss over something that’s very common in these ride or die relationships – infidelity.
They trap you with the idea of staying together no matter what, even when that includes cheating and emotional affairs.
This kind of attitude leads you to internalize the idea that leaving a relationship that doesn’t fulfill you is the same as traição.
So, you stay, and you convince yourself that somewhere down the line, your loyalty will pay off.
You get dragged into a cycle of lies and resentment.
All of this leaves us with a question: Is loyalty worth sacrificing your self-respect and peace of mind?
The Dangers of Selfless Love
The ride or die fantasy often romanticizes selflessness. It leads you to put your partner’s needs above yours.
However, real love never forces us to sacrifice our boundaries; it uplifts us, and makes us even prouder and happier.
A healthy relationship requires support, respect, and growth – and they can’t only come from one end.
Otherwise, you’ll be left with codependency and imbalance.
The romanticization of staying no matter what makes it so that one partner gets sidelined, while the other never has to take any accountability.
Unhealthy Power Dynamics
These ride or die relationships often hide a dangerous power imbalance. One partner calls the shots, while the other feels compelled to stay out of obligation or guilt.
This dynamic can quickly turn abusive under the mask of loyalty.
And staying only enables the cycle of control and manipulation.
When the love is healthy, there are plenty of reasons for you to want to stay. But when it’s chaotic and toxic, a guilt-trip, such as “ride or die,” has to be introduced to keep you stuck.
We must continue to question this dynamic, because love should never come at the expense of your well-being.
Unreasonable Expectations
These relationships are often rooted in unrealistic expectations – like expecting your partner to only cater to your needs or stay after you cheat.
These skewed ideals set both people up for desilusão.
When you hold onto the idea that love equals unwavering loyalty no matter what, you ignore the flawed nature of people and the fact that relationships take mutual effort.
If you’re constantly asked to make sacrifices, your relationship is likely built on fantasy, not on a genuine connection.
Blind devotion to an idea is not the point of love.
The Cost to Your Identity
Getting caught up in a ride or die relationship can cause you to lose sight of who you are.
Your identity is made up of your dreams, your strongest opinions, and your non-negotiables.
When you’re constantly forced to stifle them in order to keep a relationship afloat, you begin to lose yourself. This is dangerous because it can destroy your sense of independência.
Many people are manipulated into staying in these situations because they were made to believe that they owe it to their partner.
However, true love never endangers your identity – it only helps it evolve.
Choosing a Healthier Future
The good news is that many people recognize that the ride or die fantasy is a bunch of manipulative nonsense.
However, young people are still very vulnerable to these ideas, so we must keep pointing out the many flaws of this dynamic.
Staying in a relationship that’s in a continuous downward spiral isn’t loyal or noble – it’s just denial.
When you learn to prioritize your safety and happiness while respecting others’, you’re able to attract healthy, loving partners.
Love can require some sacrifices, such as sharing the workload, showing compassion, and showing up even when you don’t feel like it.
But true love never asks you to sacrifice your integrity.
A little Aquarius, devoted to writing and embroidery. Through my writing, I hope to empower readers to align with their true selves and navigate life’s mysteries with confidence.