Detangle Love
  • Home
  • Relationships
  • Expert Tips
  • Senior Dating
Expert Tips

7 Surprising Ways Women Unintentionally Push Men Away

18 April 2024 · 7 min read
push men away

Do you think you push men away?

How many times did your husband or boyfriend tell you that he wanted to go fishing or camping with his buddies for a couple of days? Well, he probably loves spending time in nature, and to be honest, they need some boy time as much as you need girl time, but that might not be the whole story.

I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but he might want to take some time away from you. Don’t panic, though, because it doesn’t mean he stopped loving you. He just wants to be alone for a while, and that’s perfectly fine. We all need time for ourselves or with people outside of the relationship.

However, while this “men’s time” can be temporary, I’ve talked to dating experts, and they told me that sometimes women do things that push men away. I’ve made some of these mistakes myself, and let me tell you that they almost destroyed my marriage. While I told you several times that my husband and I are very happy, I had times when I was angry, withdrawn, and indifferent. He told me many times that this would drive us apart, but I didn’t listen. We started to fight every few days; we didn’t spend time in the bedroom, and we weren’t happy. We solved all these issues, but it took time and honest communication.

I don’t want you to push men away as I did to my husband, which is why I want to share all of these tips with you. Now that I have your attention, ladies, here are all the things women unintentionally do and push men away!

push men away
Photo by fizkes from shutterstock.com

1. You’re judgemental

While you might say that you’re not judgy, everyone is to a certain degree. Everyone makes mistakes and constantly criticizing your partner for past mistakes or behaviors you disapprove of won’t bring you closer.

Making a remark here and there is cute and funny, but always being harsh about something they’ve made is one of the easiest ways to push men away. If your partner has done something serious like cheating, it might be best to reconsider the relationship for your well-being! There’s no need to still be in a relationship and live with this awful feeling.

Otherwise, instead of constantly judging your man, have an honest conversation with him and share all the things you don’t like. Make sure you’re specific and give details, so he has a better understanding of how it makes you feel, and encourage them to do better in the future.

2. Being passive-aggressive

Another behavior that can push men away is being passive-aggressive. I did this many times, and we were almost on the verge of taking a break. Your significant other won’t be happy because it can make him feel frustrated when he doesn’t understand your feelings.

I know you might feel good knowing you made him suffer a bit, but you make yourself suffer even more in the long run. Your special someone will feel hurt, distance himself from you, and even start to avoid you if this is repeated behavior. Tell him you need a few minutes, analyze your thoughts and feelings, and then communicate them. It’s a healthier approach, and you, him, and your relationship deserve it!

push men away
Photo by Voyagerix from shutterstock.com

3. Getting in the way of his goals

Nothing is going to push men away more than getting in the way of their life goals. If he has something he’s passionate about, he will put all of his efforts into turning his dream into reality.

He expects you to support him, to motivate him when he feels like giving up, to help him if you can, and to give him space if he needs it to focus on his soul projects. He wants to do the same for you, but if you make him give up on his goals, he will give up on you. I’m sure this works the same for you too, so support one another! It’s better this way!

4. You don’t give him enough space

Some women want to be with their special someone 24/7, but that can sometimes push men away. Your SO needs space, whether it’s a few hours to focus on his projects or a few days to be with his friends.

He surely likes it when you’re all cuddly and lovey-dovey, but if you’re always needy and need his presence for anything, it won’t do your relationship any good. The more you tell him not to be alone, the more time away from you he’ll crave.

This is why dating experts suggest that both partners engage in activities that fulfill them individually. When you do something for yourself and work on your goals, you’ll feel happier and more confident since you’ve accomplished something for yourself, and that can translate to a happier relationship overall.

Keep reading for more behaviors that push men away!

5. Asking for too many favors

When women ask for too many favors, they can push men away. Listen to me, some men love to be of service and make you happy, but they don’t always want to solve your problems .

They want you to be independent and capable of handling most things on your own. For instance, if your toilet is clogged, you might consider calling a plumber for help and not asking your special someone to come over to take care of your problem for you. Of course, you can ask them for help, and they’ll be happy to do it, but not every single time!

push men away
Photo by B-D-S Piotr Marcinski from shutterstock.com

6. You fulfill all his needs

While it’s important to be mindful of your partner’s needs and try to help him fulfill them, always saying yes can push men away. Many women think that giving their men everything they ask for will make them more interested and involved in the relationship, but think again.

You don’t have to say yes to your partner every time, especially if you don’t want to or don’t have time for it. He might think you lack self-respect and that you make this relationship your entire personality, and they’ll grow out of it sooner or later. Unless he’s a megalomaniac, he wants a person who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and to disagree when something’s off. Don’t be afraid to say “no.” If he likes you, he’ll be with you because he wants to, not because you’re at his disposal every time.

7. Give him ultimatums

When a relationship reaches a stage where ultimatums are necessary, it’s most likely ending or going to end. When you give someone an ultimatum, you give them a window of time to change for the better. The problem is, even if someone would benefit from changing, they shouldn’t change for you. While this can be a way to make a relationship better, it can push men away and women too.

In the short term, ultimatums might be effective in persuading someone to change their behavior, but unless they want to change in the first place, they might not last. Even worse, if you consistently tell your partner to change for you, resentment will undoubtedly begin to surface. Over time, this can push men away.

To strengthen your relationship and have fun together, try this engaging game. It’s fun and it will ensure you both have a good time. Do you know any other things that push men away? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoyed reading this article and you want to check out something else from Detangle Love, here’s a good post for you: 8 Ways to Tease Your Partner and Make Them Love You More

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

One response to “7 Surprising Ways Women Unintentionally Push Men Away”

  1. gi says:
    18 March 2025 at 18:46

    thats true they want space but to cheat mostly like whe n the cats away the mouse will play they want to beaway for days not good maybe an hr

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Most Popular

  1. 01 6 Signs Your Spouse Doesn’t Love You
  2. 02 Is Your Spouse Still Attracted to You? (10 Signs They’re NOT)
  3. 03 10 Things Women Want in Bed but Won’t Tell You
  4. 04 5 Cruel Things Women Do to Their Partner, According to Men

Related Reads

  • Woman reflects on past relationship, shown with a photo album.
    Is It a Midlife Crisis or Is the Relationship Over? How to Tell the Difference 26 August 2025
  • Two hands reaching for an antique clock, symbolizing financial conflict.
    Financial Infidelity: What It Is and How It Can Destroy Your Marriage 26 August 2025
  • Woman contemplating on a park bench, children playing in the background.
    The Silent Treatment: Is it Emotional Abuse? 26 August 2025

Love Letters, Delivered

Expert relationship advice and heartfelt stories, sent weekly to your inbox.

Related Articles

zodiac signs

Zodiac Signs That Will Cheat on You With Your Friend

Sometimes the zodiac sign of the person can tell us a lot about their personality!…

Read More →
Older couple in living room, subtle tension in smiles and posture.

The In-Law Equation: How to Manage Difficult Family Relationships

Family, in all its forms, is one of life’s most profound and complex experiences. When…

Read More →
women

8 Weird Things Women Do To Push Men Away

Want a Healthier Relationship? Avoid These 8 Common Mistakes Women Make Most women may see…

Read More →
Being Disliked

Being Disliked for No Reason: 7 Ways to Handle It

Being disliked doesn’t have to mean the end of the world! Knowing how to handle…

Read More →
marriage political

8 Signs You’re a Doormat in Your Marriage

Are You Being a Doormat to Your Wife? “Keeping the peace” might cost you more…

Read More →
Woman contemplating on a park bench, children playing in the background.

The Silent Treatment: Is it Emotional Abuse?

It’s a scenario familiar to many. A disagreement escalates, voices are raised, and then one…

Read More →

11 Dating Deal-Breakers For Women, That All Men Should Know About

Women might come from Venus and men from Mars but both genders have their deal-breakers…

Read More →
mind

7 Sure-Fire Ways to Always Be On Their Mind

On this episode of DETANGLED   Every relationship is different, and we all know that.…

Read More →
deceiving partner

Deceiving Partners: 9 Signs You’re Living With One

Can you recognize the signs that your partner is deceiving you? Deceiving someone is easier…

Read More →
Detangle Love

Uncover love's secrets together with us!

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@detanglelove.com

Explore

  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Request to Know
  • Request to Delete
  • CA Private Policy

Categories

  • Expert Tips
  • Relationships
  • Senior Dating

detanglelove.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Additionally, we participate in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.

© 2026 Detangle Love. All rights reserved.