What does it mean for someone to be going through the motions in a relationship? Especially one that's been going on for a little over a year? My friend has been dating a girl for over a year and I always assumed he was happy because of Facebook comments the girl leaves and from an outsiders perspective a year is a long time; however, when I ran into his mom she told me he's not happy he's just going through the motions. Then, while talking to him he confided that he's not that serious about the relationship and sees no real future with this girl.

What does going through the motions mean and why do guys stay in relationships they're not even happy in? It makes me sad that he could be out there finding something better for himself.

Life's a tiny bit better with than without for some guys and is statistically more common with females than males.

What does it mean to be "going through the motions" though?

Doing things that people do, but your heart isn't in it any more.