Does the idea of spending the rest of your life with one person make you nervous? Then you might suffer from commitment issues. While this is a term often used casually, commitment issues can stem from more deep-seated emotional trauma. Here are some tips to help you get over your fear of commitment.

1. Understand Your Fear
The first step is to accept that you have a fear of commitment and try to determine what exactly you’re afraid of and why. For example, you could be fearful of a painful breakup or being stuck in a toxic relationship.

2. Boost Your Confidence
Work on increasing your confidence and loving yourself. Often, fear of commitment is actually just a fear of being judged and rejected by others. Instead of worrying about what others think of you, you should trust your own self-image.

3. Be Realistic
There’s no such thing as a perfect relationship. Expecting everything to be perfect and then being disappointed is a common cause of commitment issues. Relationships take work; every couple disagrees sometimes, everyone has something that they don’t like about their partner. Working together with your partner is what makes a good relationship.

4. Avoid Overthinking
Stop over-analyzing everything. Instead of thinking about the many ways things could go wrong or right, try living more in the moment. Don’t let fear run your life. Be more impulsive; act on your ideas. Focus on today and the good things happening right now.

5. Consider the Upsides
Being in a relationship has more ups than downs, and you shouldn’t let fear keep you from experiencing them. Connecting with another person and sharing your life with them can give you a sense of comfort and purpose.

6. Try Therapy
If your problem seems to be deeply rooted, try a therapist. Some therapists specialize in relationship issues. A therapist can help you discover your problem’s roots and suggest the best ways to go about solving it.