Some romantic relationships can feel like a pair of worn-out yet familiar slippers: we know we need new ones, but we can’t seem to let them go because they feel OK for now, holes and all.

Sure, relationships have their ups and downs, and communicating your needs with your partner is important in getting through those downs. But, it might also be worth your time to figure out if you are putting off a breakup just because the relationship feels comfortable.

A Huffington Post article took a look at the six signs of Band-Aid relationships, and according to therapist Elizabeth Earnshaw, “Fantasizing and imaging the future with a person we already know is less scary than imagining it with someone we don’t.”

And, therein lies the reason many of us hold on to relationships we have outgrown or don’t deserve—fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the future. Fear we won’t find anyone else. Fear this is the best we can find. And, so, we hang on to a relationship—settle, really—because the alternative seems scary.

If you’re in this situation, asking yourself some questions can help you figure out what to do next. This includes making a list of why you stay.

“If one answer is something like ‘comfort’ or ‘because it’s easier than leaving,’ I suggest you work with a close friend or therapist to really process whether or not this is the relationship for you,” said Earnshaw. “Healthy relationships should bring comfort, but they should also bring security, growth, support and love, among many other things. Don’t settle unless you’re getting all those things.”

This article is a great resource for anyone who is thinking there might be something more out there for a relationship.

As a side note, my guide to moving on after being ghosted is full of information that is useful in evaluating your value and your self-worth. You can learn more about it here.