Watch for These 5 Significant Red Flags in a Relationship

Be alert to toxic and dangerous signals

Janice Tovey
2 min readJan 9, 2022

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Photo by bruno neurath-wilson on Unsplash

We are constantly being warned to stay away from people who exhibit red flags in relationships.

But what are the red flags?

Here are some of the signs to look for:

Lying: Any signs of dishonesty in your partner is not a good sign. We all lie from time to time but consistent lying if definitely a red flag. Whether big or small, being repeatedly lied to makes it very difficult to trust.

Constant Criticism: Being frequently criticized can damage your self-esteem. This is a form of emotional abuse that can lead to feelings of insecurity and anxiety in a relationship. Emotional abuse can be just as harmful as physical abuse. It may be time to re-evaluate a relationship with a partner who is unwilling to change.

Unwilling to compromise: Proceed with caution if your partner is not willing to compromise, even if it is just about small issues. You will end of feeling resentful if everything becomes one sided. This will lead you to over-compromise and you will end of feeling misunderstood and resentful

Avoiding difficult discussions: Lacking emotional or behavioral skills needed to deal with problems can harm your relationship. Behavior such as ignoring or walking away when things get rough is an example. Your partner should have the necessary skills to effectively communicate.

Jealousy and controlling behavior: Often when a person is controlling they are also jealous. If you are feeling smothered or consistently changing your behavior to appease you partner, it could be a sign of a larger issue to come.

Take note of early warning signs in relationships. Whether it be lies or jealousy, take the situation seriously. Keep in mind how it might affect your relationship, and the damaging effect it could have on your mental health and self-esteem.

Know when to draw the line.

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Janice Tovey

My passion is writing. I also love reading, teaching, animals, nature, music, and humor. I am curious about everything and enjoy writing about all things.