Relationships with friends, co-workers, and family members are tricky to navigate. They are even more difficult when there are romantic relationships involved. It’s pretty hard to know what is normal and if who you are dating is right for you. While sometimes things just don’t work out, there are others situations where it’s best you leave. Watch for these red flags!
Not Respecting Your Time
Personal time is important. The time you spend separate from your significant other allows you to grow as an individual and develop new talents. If the person you’re dating is too clingy or doesn’t respect your time, this can be a red flag in your relationship. Your time is just as valuable as theirs. Sure, life happens sometimes, but if it becomes a habit or a pattern, you should reevaluate your relationship.
Gaslighting
Gaslighting is not a healthy relationship behavior. It may be hard to recognize when it’s happening, though. Gaslighting is when your partner uses psychological manipulation to control you. This may be through your partner treating you one way, then denying they ever said or acted in that manner. Gaslighting can also happen when your partner is dismissive of your feelings, doesn’t let you talk during a conflict, doesn’t apologize, and blames you for difficult circumstances. If your partner is gaslighting you, it can slowly make you question your reality and depend on them instead. Thoughts that everything is always your fault are not healthy, and a big sign that you need to end the relationship.
Acting Abusive
Any form of abuse, whether it is verbal, emotional, psychological, and most certainly physical, should not be allowed. It can be easy to write this off as a one-time thing or that it’s just in your head. Don’t! Abusive behavior is a huge red flag and should never be tolerated. Unfortunately abuse gets worse over time and can increase from mild to severe quickly. 15% of all violent crime can be attributed to intimate partner violence, which includes people in dating relationships. The first sign of abuse should tell you to get away, not give them another chance.
Every relationship has highs and lows. However, if your relationship seems to have more lows than highs, it may be a sign that you are not meant to be together. Every individual deserves to feel valued and equal in a relationship. Don’t be afraid to end things quickly when red flags like these pop up.
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