Human connection is an important part of our lives.
Feeling loved and having a sense of connection contribute to our mental health.
However, it is not all relationships that make our lives better. Some relationships aren’t good for us. They damage our well-being instead of making it better. Some can even be toxic, and it’s important to recognize the red flags.
What are the red flags in a relationship? How can you identify them? And most importantly, what should you do if your relationship has reached an unhealthy state?
Just like stop signs and red lights on the road, red flags are a sign to pump the brakes and assess the situation at hand. They can pop up in any kind of relationship, whether it’s relatively new, strictly casual, or something more long-term. The tricky part is that red flags can be easy to miss – or even ignore.
While there are some common red flags (think: jealousy, clinginess, and mismatched relationship goals), there are some red flags that should never be ignored. Abusive and controlling behavior is a red flag in any relationship structure, says Callisto Adams, Ph.D., dating and relationship expert and coach and founder of HeTexted.com. She says being cautious (not paranoid) and trusting your gut feeling and instincts is key to spotting a red flag. “It saves you time, tears, and experiences that won’t feel good when you look back at them,” she adds.
When you encounter relationship red flags, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the dynamic you share with that person.
If you need assistance in saving yourself time, tears, and bitter experiences in the future, it will be a pleasure to walk that journey with you.
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