Traditionally, red flags are used as a warning of danger. In this context, when i speak of red flags I guess what I'm talking about are behaviours that allude to possible dangerous/unhealthy relationships in the future. At points in my life, I have viewed red flags as decorative bunting, perhaps confusing them with Christmas or jubilee decorations. It is often not until we look back in retrospect that certain things stand out as problematic. Of course, no one is perfect and we are all flawed as humans in ways, however over the course of life i noted and discussed various patterns of behaviour that seem to be prominent in less functional, healthy and loving relationships. I also think it important to note that i don't think people are born 'bad' or 'toxic' but rather unfortunately have been shaped by circumstances in life that may lead them to act harmfully towards others. It is important to note patterns of behaviour in order to protect ourselves from others, imo. Getting out of an abusive relationship/ situationship is an incredibly difficult task and so, the easiest thing to do is prevent entering one at all. Red flags may look different for everyone as we are all individual with varying morals, beliefs and values however I thought perhaps if more people are aware of some of the things to look out for, it perhaps provides heads-up that this relationships may be a no go.
Red flags:
Lying to other people
Lying to you
Love bombing
Talking down to you i.e. telling you to ‘shut up’
Words not matching actions
Showing unkindness to others
Talking constantly about past relationships
Villainising other people without empathising with them/ playing the ‘victim’
Asking to borrow money and not paying it back
Consistently being without stability & needing to rely on you i.e. for money, accommodation
Not listening
Not asking questions about you
Can’t healthily discuss needs & feelings
Reliance on external vices to cope with everyday stresses of life
Someone who cannot be alone
Lack of ethics/ boundaries
Not adhering to your boundaries e.g. when you say no
Lack of eye contact (excluding neurodevelopmental conditions)
Unexplained disappearances
Putting you down in front of others
Trying to isolate you from family/ friends i.e. discouraging you from spending time with them
Refusing to use protection
Gaslighting
Fake crying (no tears) when you bring up an issue you have
These 'relationships are not exclusive to romance and may include platonic or familial relationships. It is not to say that experiencing one of these in a relationship means that person is toxic but exposure to multiple f these over a prolonged perod may be an important indicator; pair any of these with a bad gut feeling and guuuuuurl, get the fuck out.
I was unpleasantly surprised that this is all I could come up with (thank you Jessie and Hannah for your help) and naturally this list is not exhaustive - if you can think of any more let me know :)
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