Watch out for these 4 “red flags” that signal trouble in your new relationship
Big warning signs should give you pause if you’re taking your relationship to the next level.
Have you ever looked back at a past relationship and wondered how you missed all the red flags?
As they say, hindsight is 20/20. Not all so-called “red flags” are dealbreakers for a new relationship, but being aware of potential issues early on can help you make an informed decision about whether you can address the red flags or you want to put the brakes on before things get serious.
You may be familiar with the term “red flag” from sports, where the presence of a red flag indicates that there’s an issue that necessitates a full stop. But the concept is also useful in the context of personal relationships. Clinical psychologist Dr. Wendy Walsh describes them like this:
“In relationships, red flags are signs that the person probably can’t have a healthy relationship and proceeding down the road together would be emotionally dangerous.”
Here are some common “red flags” to look for in any new relationship, particularly romantic ones.