Small examples might include not saying yes to a wedding three months away or avoiding making holiday plans.

The person who is fearful of commitment may experience feelings of fear, worry, and stress.

You must understand why you are fearful of committing.

Photos showing a young couple experiencing difficulties in their relationship

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Maybe youve yet to recover from a past hurt or youre worried about repeating a toxic relationship you witnessed.

Another way to help work through a fear of commitment is to talk about it openly with your partner.

Hathaway says, Help them understand your thoughts and feelings.

Work together and create supportive patterns that can help you manage the thoughts and feelings around your fear.

In either case, youre not alone.

Understanding the root cause of the fear and open communication can create a path toward a deeply fulfilling relationship.