Is Your Relationship Doomed? This One Question Never Lies!

There are countless signs that a relationship is nearing its end: prolonged silences, fewer gestures of affection, and circular conversations. However, according to Astrid Deballon, a life coach specializing in supporting executives and entrepreneurs, these indicators are of secondary importance. She believes there is only one truly reliable criterion, a physical sign that is immediate and beyond rationalization, which unequivocally signals that the relationship is over.

In her Instagram videos, Deballon discusses repeatedly encountering the same scenario: individuals uncertain about their relationship, hoping, wondering whether it can be rejuvenated, questioning whether they should “try something else.” Before proceeding, she always asks one pivotal question. “I’ve noticed one thing: there’s a criterion that never fails. When someone answers ‘yes’ to this criterion, I know the relationship is dead, and there’s no point in trying to hold onto fragments of it; it’s beyond revival,” she emphasizes.

The phenomenon she describes is a physical reaction, often subconscious and immediate. A bodily rejection, silent yet clear, that precedes conscious thought. She explains that in every relationship, there is a primal, human-specific dimension. This chemical and instinctual bond fuels closeness and attachment. Once it fades, nothing else will suffice. According to her, the body acts as a truth detector in this context, sending the message before the mind accepts it. And when this message is clear, there’s nothing left to salvage. The signal she identifies is a detail anyone can recognize: “Can you still stand the smell of your partner?” According to her, this question is the most devastatingly effective. If the answer is no, the relationship is over. Not troubled, not on a break, not in need of repair. Over.

This perspective goes against the conventional discourse on relationships, which typically focuses on self-improvement, patience, or the ability to weather crises. Nevertheless, while Deballon does not undervalue these efforts, she prioritizes the body’s response above all analysis. Clearly, in such cases, no therapy will make a difference.