Anyone who has ever been in a relationship is most likely familiar with the little (and major) red flags that often come along with the territory.
You’ve probably been warned by everyone from your grandmother to Oprah about red flags in romantic relationships. Relationships, and the dating process, can be tricky. And navigating the sometimes stormy waters of love, and trying to determine if your partner is a catch, can be quite challenging.
How do they treat service staff? How do they react when you ask for a little space? Are they cruel to their mother? Do they pick their nose in public?
Have you ever met someone and wished you had a crystal ball to see into the future? We certainly do. It would save a ton of heartache and wasted energy. When we’re excited about a relationship, it’s easy to overlook the red flags that at least need to be explored. Of course, some red flags are more serious than others.
The longer you choose to pretend there’s nothing wrong, you’re going to continue subjecting yourself to unnecessary pain and suffering. When not addressed early on, then 4 weeks, 4 months or 4 years into the relationship you’ll be faced with a crisis and most likely left saying, “I had no idea they were so controlling/emotionally abusive/arrogant/manipulative…”
-
When you start having more bad days than good, that’s a wrap.
2. Overly Dependent
Your significant other is dependent on you to be happy or entertained.
3. Half-Truths
When they tell “half-truths” — they tell you the part of the story that answers your question but leave out the part that would “make you upset.”
4. Priorities
They consistently make you their last priority, or simply an afterthought. Conversely, if you become their only priority and everything else is an afterthought.
5. Passwords
They password protect everything.
6. Scorekeeping
Keeping score is a behavior that will quickly unravel any relationship.
7. Bringing You Down
When she/he puts you down in front of others.
8. Ultimatums
Using ultimatums to get their way instead of compromising.
9. Secrets
Any time the relationship needs to be kept secret, there is a problem in there somewhere.
10. Independence
Both of you must be comfortable doing separate things in the same room.
11. Separation
When they don’t want you to be friends with their friends, or vice versa.
12. Past Relationships
In the beginning stages, they constantly complain about their ex. It isn’t easy to build a new relationship on the ashes of an old one.
13. Text Messages
You text your lover and never really get a response in a reasonable amount of time, but when they are with you, they are constantly on their phone.
14. Family and Friends
All of your friends, or your trusted family members, hate your boyfriend/girlfriend.
15. Responsibility
They never apologize or take responsibility for bad behavior.
If any of these red flags are prevalent in your current relationship, it’s probably time you stop ignoring them and run for the hills.
