EP: Our Low Maintenance Relationship
She thought he was being “low maintenance”.
That was her first mistake.
They met and he immediately went:
“I’m not those demanding type. I'm the easy-going one.”
At the start, everything was smooth.
Where to eat? “Anything.”
What movie? “You choose.”
Weekend plans? “Up to you.”
At first, it felt comforting.
No drama. No arguments.
2 years later, she realised something.
It wasn’t that he was easy-going.
He just didn’t want to put in the effort.
Because “anything” meant he wouldn’t plan.
“You choose” meant he wouldn’t decide.
“Up to you” meant the responsibility was always hers.
And somehow, he still thought he was doing her a favour.
When people discuss high maintenance vs low maintenance relationships, it’s important to understand that being low maintenance isn’t about passing off all responsibility to one partner. Low maintenance means communicating openly and sharing effort, not being indifferent or disengaged. From my experience, a partner who consistently says "anything," "you choose," or "up to you" may seem easy-going at first, but it can lead to imbalance where one person ends up planning everything and carrying the emotional load. That’s not true ease; that’s a lack of involvement. For a healthy low maintenance relationship, it’s vital that both partners engage actively, even in small decisions. Effort doesn’t have to be grand gestures, but showing consideration by making choices and planning together keeps the relationship balanced and fulfilling. Reflecting on my story, I learned that recognizing the difference between genuine low maintenance and apathy was key. The right kind of partner offers comfort without shirking responsibility. If you find yourself always bearing the burden of decisions or plans, it’s worth talking openly about shared efforts to avoid resentment. Ultimately, low maintenance should mean mutual respect and ease—when both partners consciously contribute to the relationship, it builds stronger, lasting connections.
