5 Red Flags to Look for in a Relationship
New relationships can be exhilarating, scary, exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. Jumping into things too fast is a mistake many people make when they fall in love too quickly. While it’s natural to feel giddy when you first start dating someone new, there are red flags that you should consider before you get too caught up with this person. There may be some red flags that indicate their intentions aren’t exactly pure. Here are some signs that your partner might not be trustworthy and might not be someone you want to date long-term.
They have a lot of red flags.
Every relationship has its ups and downs, but some people come with a lot of red flags that should cause you to pause.
- If your partner has a criminal record, is a heavy drinker or is known for reckless behavior, you might want to think twice about spending too much time with them.
- If your partner has a history of being unfaithful, being controlling or verbally abusive, or has been in and out of treatment for substance abuse, you should steer clear.
If your partner has a lot of red flags, they’re likely to be a huge distraction from your daily life and things you should be focusing on.
They don’t respect your boundaries and make you feel uncomfortable.
Some people will try to move way too fast in a relationship without respecting your boundaries. If your partner is constantly trying to get you to do things you aren’t comfortable with and/or they don’t respect your opinion, they might not be a good person to be dating. If your partner makes you feel uncomfortable, it could be a sign that they don’t respect you or want the best for your future together. If you’ve told your partner that you want to take things slow and they keep pressuring you or make you feel bad for wanting to take things at a natural pace, you’re being disrespected.
You feel like you’re constantly giving and they’re taking.
If you find that you’re going out of your way to make your partner happy, but they aren’t doing the same for you, you might have a red flag on your hands. If you notice that you’re constantly running around after your partner, but they don’t offer to help you out when you need it, that’s a red flag. If you feel like you’re giving way more than you’re receiving, you have a problem on your hands. If you feel like you’re constantly giving in a relationship and your partner isn’t reciprocating, you might be with someone who is selfish and doesn’t care about your needs.
Your partner is dishonest .
Dishonesty is a huge red flag in a relationship. If your partner has lied to you in the past or you catch them in a lie, it could be a sign that they’ll be dishonest in the future. If your partner is constantly making excuses or blaming others for the things they’ve done, they don’t have integrity. If your partner blames you for their mistakes, is excessively apologetic, or only wants to talk about their feelings instead of being open and honest, they might not have integrity. If your partner has no interest in being open and honest with you, they might be hiding something that could make or break your future together.
You feel way more anxious than happy when you’re together.
If you find that you’re more anxious than happy when you’re with your partner, it could be a sign that they aren’t the right person for you. If you find yourself second-guessing everything you do or say around your partner, you need to consider why that might be. If you feel like you’re walking on eggshells or feel like you’re constantly being watched, that’s a big red flag. If you don’t feel like you can be yourself around your partner, or you feel like you’re walking on eggshells, you’re likely with someone who doesn’t respect you. If you feel sick to your stomach when you’re with your partner, something might be wrong.
If you’ve considered all of these red flags and you still feel something is off, trust your instincts. If you feel like something is wrong with your relationship, it’s likely something is. Don’t date someone who makes you feel extremely anxious or nervous. Dating is supposed to be fun, not something that makes you feel sick to your stomach. Be selective about who you date and make sure to cut anyone who is making you feel bad out of your life.
The author of this article is a therapist from the Sensera app. Sensera is a daily 10-minute self-therapy app. It’ll help you to cope with various mental problems (anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues). Feel better with CBT audio sessions and exercises. Download now to become happier!
