Relationships are always complex, but this doesn’t mean they are bad. However, if there are red flags in any relationship – new or well established – it might be time to think about making break for it.

These red flags are the warning signs you need to keep an eye on, and as the old saying goes, being forewarned is being forearmed!

One-sided effort

If you’re always the one texting, making plans and putting in the effort, then you need to consider whether your partner is really that into you.

If you’re the one making all the moves and planning all the plans, then it may be time to take a step back and see if they come running.

Poor communication

If communication is stilted, or worse hardly exists at all, then this is a major problem.

Clear communication channels are the key to any healthy relationship, and if communication has broken down irrevocably, its time to leave.

Fights are fun

If you or your partner are finding that fighting is actually fun, this is a bad sign. We don’t mean the makeup sex part of a fight; we mean the actual act of fighting giving you a thrill like you’d getting playing the online slots Australia has to offer.

This kind of behaviour is not one that should be fostered, so rather keep the thrills for your gaming!

Disrespect

If your partner disrespects you in any way, especially on an on going basis, this is a major red flag.

Eventually this could lead to aggression and even violence, and may well break down your self-esteem.

Violence

While we are on the topic, violence is NEVER ok. This is the biggest red flag. If your partner has even threatened to hit you, or you feel like they could have had they been provoked any further, now’s the time to call it quits.

Yes, getting angry is allowed, but violence is never acceptable behaviour.

Controlling behaviour

If a partner starts getting controlling, monitors your movements, your emails, your social media accounts or chats, run.

This can start off subtly, but before you know it you are being told who you can and cannot speak to, what to wear, where to go and what to do.

Guilt trips and gaslighting

This is a double whammy and the 2 often go hand in hand. If you think you’re being gaslighted, its time to go, and if you’re being guilt tripped into staying, even worse.

Often partners will say things like they will kill themselves if you leave, then a few days late tell you you’re crazy, and that they never said that. If this happens, break the cycle, quickly.

Keeping secrets

There are some secrets that are absolutely fine to keep, and some parts of your past that are best kept hidden.

But, if you or your partner is keeping secrets that may involve where you are going and what you are doing, or you are hiding things about money or finances and debt, this is a major red flag.

Communication is key here too, and you should be able to safely have difficult conversations no matter what the topic is.