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Nadia Mukami’s break-up: The emotional cost of on-and-off relationships
21st May, 2026 06:39 AM
On-and-off relationships can be emotionally exhausting, especially when couples repeatedly separate and reconcile without fully resolving their problems.
Kenyan singer Nadia Mukami, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, opened up about this reality after announcing her breakup with fellow artiste Arrow Bwoy, revealing that their relationship had been on and off for some time.
In her emotional revelation, Nadia admitted she had fought hard for the relationship before eventually accepting that things were no longer working.
“I fought so hard but I guess I lost. Over the past few months, I made the difficult decision to go separate ways with my partner. I have hoped and prayed that things would have been different for the last 1 and half years as we have been on and off,” part of Nadia Mukami’s break-up announcement.
Her statement has since sparked conversations online about the emotional impact of unstable relationships and why many couples struggle to completely walk away from each other.
For many people, on-and-off relationships often begin with hope. Couples separate after disagreements, incompatibility, or emotional hurt, then reunite believing things will improve. However, relationship experts say when the same problems remain unresolved, the cycle can become emotionally draining.
Why on-and-off relationships hurt emotionally
Unlike a clean breakup where both people gradually heal and move on, unstable relationships create emotional uncertainty. One moment there is love and reassurance, and the next there is distance, conflict, or silence.
This emotional inconsistency can lead to anxiety, confusion, and emotional burnout. Many people in such relationships constantly live with fear of another breakup, making it difficult to feel secure even during happy moments.
Experts say repeated breakups may also weaken trust between partners. Over time, couples can begin to feel emotionally exhausted from constantly trying to fix the same issues without lasting solutions.
Why many couples keep going back
Despite the emotional pain, many people find it difficult to leave on-and-off relationships completely. Shared memories, emotional attachment, children, financial responsibilities, or fear of starting over can keep couples connected.
For public figures like Nadia and Arrow Bwoy, the pressure can become even greater because their relationship plays out in the public eye. Every post, interview, or public appearance quickly attracts speculation from fans and social media users.
In some cases, couples confuse emotional attachment with compatibility. The comfort of familiarity may make reconciliation feel easier than facing life apart, even when the relationship remains unhealthy.
Mental health effects
Relationship therapists warn that unstable relationships can slowly affect mental and emotional well-being. Constant arguments, breakups, and reconciliations may lead to stress, sadness, low self-esteem, and emotional fatigue.
Some people also develop unhealthy emotional dependency, where they struggle to function emotionally without their partner, even when the relationship repeatedly hurts them.
Over time, the cycle may affect communication, personal growth, and even friendships or work performance as emotional stress builds up.
When love alone is not enough
While every relationship faces challenges, experts say healthy relationships should still provide emotional safety, stability, and trust. Love alone may not sustain a relationship if communication, respect, and consistency are missing.
Nadia Mukami’s breakup has resonated with many people because it reflects a reality many couples quietly experience behind closed doors. Beneath romantic photos and public appearances, some relationships carry emotional struggles that outsiders rarely see.
Her story now serves as a reminder that sometimes walking away from an emotionally exhausting cycle may be healthier than repeatedly trying to force a relationship to work.
