When you’re in a new relationship, the romance and excitement and all the butterflies can cloud your judgment, and you may not be aware of the warning signs.
What are red flags, you may ask? Red flags are warning signs a partner shows that are unhealthy to a relationship.
Red flags are not always recognizable at first, so you need to be on alert for them. If you’re in a new relationship and want to be aware of red flags, then keep reading.
Here are six red relationship flags you should be aware of:
1. Frequent lying. If your partner is constantly dishonest, even if they confess later, it isn’t a good sign. We’ve all lied before. However, if you notice your partner is consistently getting caught in lies, it’s a big red flag.
* These can be smaller lies, like being dishonest about their whereabouts or past relationships, or big lies about their life, like, if they have kids or have been married before.
* When someone constantly lies to you, it’s challenging to build a strong foundation in the relationship.
2. Running away from serious conversations. Running away from conversations that may be difficult is a red flag you shouldn’t ignore. It’s a sign that your partner lacks the emotional ability to deal with significant problems.
* Running away does more harm to the relationship than you can imagine. Because things are not said, misunderstandings are bound to happen, and the relationship will start having more issues.
* For instance, when your partner walks away from a misunderstanding without hearing your side, or even ignores you for days when things get tough, that’s a big red flag.
* People who have trouble having difficult conversations tend to lash out or run away. Watch out for this warning sign in your partner.
3. Controlling behavior. Controlling behavior in a partner is a red flag you can’t ignore. Jealous partners tend to be controlling. For instance, a jealous partner will want to know your every move, who you talk to, and try to control every bit of your life.
* If your partner suffocates you with excessive calls or texts, tries to know where you are at all times, or feels jealous when you have a social life outside of your relationship, it’s a red flag.
4. Constant put-downs. When your partner repeatedly criticizes or puts you down, whether subtle or not, you should pay attention. Such treatment can affect your self-esteem, and lead you to question your self-worth.
* It is also a form of emotional abuse that can lead to feelings of anxiety and insecurity in the relationship.
5. Anger issues. If your partner can’t control themselves when angry, that’s a severe issue. When a person gets mad to the point where they can no longer control it, it’s a big red flag.
* Being comfortable with your partner is essential. Someone who uses anger to intimidate in order to get their way is exhibiting toxic behavior.
6. Refusing to compromise. Relationships are a give-and-take situation. Doing things for each other and compromising to please your partner shouldn’t be one-sided. If your partner isn’t willing to compromise even for the little things, that should be a warning to you.
* If you find yourself constantly being the one to compromise, you will end up feeling hurt, misunderstood, unsatisfied and unloved.
* For instance, if you make an effort to make time for your partner no matter what, but your partner doesn’t do the same, that is a red flag.
Red flags can be very subtle and hard to detect when we’re deeply involved in the relationship. It’s important to look for these red flags and others so you can get out of a bad relationship before it becomes too toxic or worse.
