You just bought a new brow pen from Bowler Esthetics online and got a text ping on your Macbook from your partner. He’s complaining about something again that seems to come from nowhere. Lately, you’ve started to notice that the relationship feels a bit off. It’s hard to tell when a relationship is starting to turn toxic, we get it.
Here are 4 red flags in a relationship to watch out for!
Gaslighting and Manipulation
Gaslighting is one of the biggest red flags in any relationship. Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that causes the other person to question their own reality. If someone is gaslighting you, they’re trying to intentionally and maliciously confuse you.
What gaslighting looks like in a relationship:
- Saying things like, “I never said that. You’re crazy.”
- Denying what you know to be true.
- Saying things like, “You’ve lost it. Nobody else thinks this way about me but you.”
Invalidating Feelings
Another major red flag in a relationship is if you find your partner regularly invalidating your feelings. If you express how something makes you feel and they say things like, “you’re being too sensitive” or “it’s not the big of a deal” it’s a clear sign they don’t respect your emotions.
We are meant to feel safe to confide in our partner. If your significant other continuously blames you for how you feel – this is an unsafe environment. It’s natural to have feelings and to express them to who we are in a relationship. Over time, you’ll be less likely to let your partner know how you feel. In turn, this will cause you to withdraw and feel on edge as you hold your emotions in.
Inconsistent Actions
Do their actions match their words? Consistency is key to a healthy relationship. While we all make mistakes here and there, if your partner regularly isn’t acting on what they say – it’s a red flag. This means that they aren’t being honest when they tell you what they will do. Instead, they use words to try and appease you without having any real intention to follow through.
Inconsistent behavior is a form of deceit and disrespect. If your partner isn’t consistent, they are showing you different versions of themselves. How could this ever be authentic, and how can you ever know what to trust? This is why inconsistency in a relationship is a glaring red flag.
Dishonest or Sneaky Behavior
Do you ever catch your partner in little lies? Unfortunately, this usually leads to bigger ones. Oftentimes, toxic partners will start with small lies to see how tolerant you are of them. As time goes on, they will push your boundaries even more. They will see just how much they can get away with.
Dishonesty isn’t acceptable in any relationship. Yet, there are times when we make mistakes. However, if you find that you can’t trust your partner, this is a huge red flag. Trust is the foundation of any relationship. If you don’t have that, there’s nothing you can build from it. Take it as a sign to leave before it gets any worse.
Read Also: How To Know When To Break Up
