Settling vs. Accepting
Accepting means loving someone despite their imperfections because the core of the relationship is strong. Settling means staying with someone because you're afraid of being alone, because it's comfortable, or because you don't believe you deserve better. The distinction is motivation.
The Signs
You fantasize about being single. You feel more relieved than happy when your partner is away. You stay because of logistics (shared lease, mutual friends) rather than love. You've stopped trying to improve the relationship because you've accepted a low baseline.
What You Actually Need
Knowing who you should be with — based on compatibility rather than chemistry — is the foundation for knowing whether you're settling. When your requirements are clear and data-informed, the distinction between settling and accepting becomes obvious.