Relationship Red Flags And Green Flags: Valentine’s Day is here, and love is in the air, but we all know relationships can sometimes be complicated. Spotting red and green flags has become more important than ever. Before toxicity takes over, it’s important to recognise the signs.
Today, on February 14, ask yourself an important question: How do you really see your partner? Are they a red flag or a green flag? And if you’re feeling somewhere in between, don’t worry. We’ve put together a guide to some of the most common red and green flags to help you figure it out.
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Signs Your Partner Might Be A Red Flag
When Trust And Respect Are Missing
For any relationship to truly thrive, two things are non-negotiable: trust
and respect. Without them, everything else can start to feel unstable. If you cannot trust your partner, or they don’t respect you, the foundation of your relationship is already shaky.
Narcissistic Behaviour
Narcissists often believe the world revolves around them, and being with someone like that can feel draining over time. What may initially seem like a harmless personality flaw can slowly turn into something much heavier, leaving their partner feeling emotionally exhausted.
Controlling Behaviour That Crosses The Line
Controlling behaviour often starts off looking like care or harmless possessiveness, but it rarely stays that way. When your partner begins to restrict your actions, friendships, beliefs, or choices, the relationship slowly becomes unequal. One person starts holding more power, placing themselves in a superior position, while the other feels limited or small.
Emotional Manipulation
In Gen Z terms, this is called gaslighting. It happens when your partner manipulates you into questioning your own feelings or reality. Over time, this can seriously affect your mental health. It is not something you should ignore, because constant self-doubt and stress can slowly take a heavy toll on you.
No Emotional Support
The foundation of a healthy relationship is emotional support. Without it, the very purpose of being together starts to lose meaning. If you do not feel supported, understood, or uplifted by your partner, it is a major red flag you should not ignore.
What A Green Flag Relationship Looks Like
Having Difficult Conversations Is Not A Struggle
Relationships are not always perfect. There will be moments that call for difficult conversations and honest discussions. If your partner does not avoid those moments, listens to your perspective with patience, and is willing to share their own openly, that is a strong green flag.
A Safe And Secure Relationship
When a relationship allows you to be your most authentic self and truly feel safe, you know you are in a green flag relationship. After all, what is the point of being with someone if you cannot be vulnerable, open, and completely yourself around them?
Where Boundaries Are Not Questioned
Personal boundaries are important for everyone. Setting them is not always easy, but they are necessary for a healthy relationship built on mutual respect. Boundaries help both partners understand what is acceptable and what is not. When your boundaries are respected without being questioned or challenged, that is what a true green flag looks like.
Emotional Support
When no matter what you are feeling, your partner stays calm, listens to you, and shares their perspective without dismissing your emotions, that is real emotional support. When you feel heard instead of judged, you are not just looking at a green flag; you are looking at a whole green forest.
They Push You To Be Better
We all need to grow and learn. A good partner sees your potential and encourages you to become the best version of yourself. They support your goals, whether personal or professional, and gently challenge you to keep improving. If this is what you have, then you are definitely with a green flag.
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