Have you ever gotten out of a relationship and wondered where you may have gone wrong? Many times, after a relationship ends, we find ourselves asking how we could have missed the warning signs that our unions weren’t meant to be. Although, it is probably healthiest to move on and accept that what’s done is done, it’s not a bad idea to learn from past mistakes and keep a look out for problematic behaviors and red flags that reflect impending doom in any relationship. Here are a few relationship red flags you should be on the look out for:
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Some bad habits and behaviors may seem like nothing, but in actuality they can mean much more. One of my friend’s exes used to stick his gum under HER living room table instead of getting up and simply throwing his ‘ABC’ gum away. This bizarre behavior seems pretty funny to an outsider, but when you put it into context, and dig a little deeper it’s easy to see that his laziness had begun to carry over into complete disregard and respect for her belongings, and ultimately, for her. She realized that he would not be ready to a) buy nice furniture with her anytime soon and b) that if she stayed with him she would be cleaning up gum for the rest of her life!
The Green Eyed Monster
Jealousy is another huge red flag. You may think you’re guy or girl is super sweet for being so into you, at first at least, but I guarantee that in time your feelings will fade and you will probably just be annoyed. Chances are, if your partner is super jealous, they are probably pretty insecure. Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t love someone else until you love yourself”? It’s true. Also, nothing is worse than comparing or being compared to an ex-lover or significant other. The past should be left right where it is, in the past.
Pressure Cooker
We all know someone (we may even be this person) who needs everything to go their way at all times. Unfortunately for them, the world actually doesn’t spin around their own personal axis, and they just can’t win all the time. Some people don’t want to accept this, however, and try to force others into doing what they want. A relationship should be a partnership, 50-50, with no one person making all the decisions. If someone has to pressure you into doing something or feeling a certain way, 9 out of 10 times, it’s not the right thing for you to do.
The bottom line is, if something isn’t feeling right or something seems off between you and your partner, then it probably is. It is important to follow your gut! No one is perfect, but there are some behaviors that are just not acceptable. Ask yourself if you would accept such behavior from one of your friends or family members.
What red flags have made you wave the white flag on a relationship?
