Throughout our lives, we will have relationships with strangers that develop into something more. Whether it’s a childhood sweetheart, a spindling highschool romance, or even a romantic connection you make when you’re older. With how many connections we will make throughout our lives, there’s bound to be ones that are not so good. Don’t get me wrong, we can love a person more than anything in the world & there could still be red flags. It isn’t always because of you.
But you’re probably reading this right now because you’re starting to notice something off with the person you’re seeing & want to know what it means. So, to save you a mess of stress, pain, & heartbreak, we’ve put together a list of 5 red flags you need to pay attention to help you find a healthy & happy relationship. Let’s get started.
No Communication
The first one is the lack of communication. This could be a recent change in a relationship that once was very open with each other or a relationship that was lacking from the getgo. If at any point your partner finds it difficult to express their feelings with you, there is something wrong.
A relationship is about being open with each other in all aspects of your life & emotions. This is a form of intimacy & allows you to create a much deeper bond. Often times when a person isn’t open, they are hiding something or simply don’t care enough to open up to you. Either way, this is something you need to pay attention to, as this is not the act of someone who cares for you. If someone refuses to discuss things with you, then they may not be the one. For additional information on a lack of communication in relationships, be sure to check out 24 Relationship Red Flags You Should Never Ignore on self.com to help you further.
No Trust
One of the biggest red flags in a relationship is having no trust. If your partner doesn’t trust you to go out for a night with your friends, there’s something wrong. While this usually has to do with a lack of confidence, being in a relationship is about having the freedom to be able to live your regular life while also living with somebody else. The person you’re in a relationship should never hold you back or try to change you. There should be a healthy amount of freedom between you two, & if there’s not, that’s something you need to pay attention to.
Additional signs could include looking through your phone, not believing you when you tell them something, or even going behind your back. If you’re curious about learning more about these, be sure to check out our posts “How One Needs to Deal With a Suspicion Partner” for more info.
Abusive Behavior
Another vital sign of being in a bad relationship is abusive behavior. Now, these don’t have to be just physical, it can be mental abuse as well. If someone consistently puts you down or tries to mess with your head & make you feel bad about yourself or even purposely tries to make you angry, that is emotional abuse. If this is happening to you, girl, run. Someone who is emotionally abusing you is considered to be a narcissist who only thinks of themselves, which means they will never think or care about you in the way that they should. This type of person cannot be changed, so don’t waste your time. Don’t let someone like this into your life. If you have, for the love of keeping your sanity, separate immediately from this person.
Controlling
Another vital sign that is a red flag in a relationship is someone trying to control you. This can be someone trying to force you to think a certain way or act a certain way. If your significant other is trying to keep you from seeing your friends or family, this person is toxic. As mentioned above, a healthy relationship consists of two people living their regular lives while living together, not being held back from new opportunities & experiences by someone else. It’s up to you to make the most of your life, & if you have someone holding you back, it’s time to let them go.
Self-destructive Behavior
And lastly, the last red flag we want to mention is self-destructive behavior. While these may not seem like a make-it-or-break-it signs for everyone, it is a huge sign to pay attention to. Examples of self-destructive behavior could be substance abuse, such as alcohol or drugs, quitting their job & leaving you to pay all the bills, or lashing out at people, including you. If you have someone you’re in a relationship with that does this, it is best to separate from them. Remember, if they can’t respect or take care of themselves, then they will never be able to respect or take care of you. For more in-depth information on this, be sure to check out a very well written piece called Self-Destructive Behaviors in Relationships by exploringyourmind.com.
