One of the unique features that draws people to Clicked Connections is that you are able to set deal breakers on your preferences to help weed out relationships that wouldn’t work for you before they start. But that’s just the first step in making meaningful connections. Finding a potential friend or partner who you click with can be exciting, but recognizing red flags and deal breakers early on is crucial in building a life around people that give you proper respect and support. That helps you avoid wasting time and emotional resources on someone who you’re incompatible with. 

Common Red Flags

The best way to spot red flags is to be educated on them before you start getting to know someone, so you can stay objective about the behavior and habits of new people. There are numerous red flags to watch out for, and plenty of extensive resources about them, but spotting the biggest 3 will go a long way:

1. Lack of Communication: It’s not just lying, neglect, or ghosting that cause problems in relationships. Chronic miscommunication, one-sided conversations, and avoidance of difficult conversations are red flags too.
2. Disrespect for Boundaries: When you’re making an effort to be open and set clear boundaries and someone keeps working around them or blowing past them, that’s a huge red flag. Pushing against or disregarding your personal limits shows a lack of respect and understanding.
3. Inconsistent Behavior: Frequent mood swings or hot-and-cold actions can be a sign of emotional manipulation, and often point to underlying instability. Everyone is moody sometimes, but it’s definitely a red flag if someone is habitually inconsistent.

To ferret out red flags early on, be open in your communication and set clear boundaries, even when relationships are new. If you do what it takes to be a good friend or partner on your end right from the start, it will soon become clear if the other person is willing and able to do the same. When you spot habitual red flags, you know it’s time to let that relationship go and find other people that you can sincerely connect with.