Ever been through a breakup where you’ve found yourself saying, “Man, I should’ve seen this coming”?
We’ve all been there.
Having these thoughts in the post breakup phase illustrates how you failed to recognize certain reactions or behaviors that your partner exhibited which you fundamentally didn’t agree with. These are called relationship red flags, and being able to identify one could potentially save you from a lot of heartbreak – that is, if you choose to acknowledge the sign and what it implies about the person you care about.
In fact, a lot of people see relationship red flags, but use love as an excuse to justify them. If you think love is about compromising what you intuitively don’t agree with, then you’re in for a rocky road ahead. The more you compromise, the more frustrated you will become, and the more this will manifest and ultimately ruin the relationship. That is, if the other person is not willing to meet you half way and alter their behavior. But red flags usually speak to the root of personality. They are traits, attitudes, and beliefs that will never change.
Acknowledging a relationship red flag is the toughest part about being in-love. When we love someone, we use it as excuse to shrug off the world and be carefree. We are always happy and find ourselves being more affectionate toward everyone around us. The secret is not to be skeptical; instead you want to be conscious. If something bothers you or rubs you the wrong way, then it is your responsibility to concede the reality. Ask yourself: Is this something we can talk about? Or is this a deal-breaker?
Being sensitive to red flags is an essential part of finding someone to spend the rest of your life with. You need to date to know what you want and what you don’t want. Identifying red flags is a huge part of this process. You need to be honest with yourself, and ensure that the love you have for yourself is strong enough to conclude that one thing or another is an absolute deal breaker.