Relationships are often fun, exciting and somehow make you blind to anything that could possibly go wrong. While you're in your own little world of perfect dates and magical romance, you might be missing some small but significant red flags that could wreak havoc on your life.
Before you get too deep into the relationship, here are a few things you need to look out for:
1. They dismiss your opinions
Anyone who makes you feel dumb for voicing your opinion isn't worth your time. If they really loved you, they would value what you have to say.
2. You feel nervous, and not in a good way
If you have a pit in your stomach whenever you're with your partner, it's not a good sign. Trust your intuition because it's almost always right.
3. They take it too far, too fast
It's hard to navigate what's OK to do in the beginning of a relationship and what's not. If your significant other asks you to do something you're uncomfortable with and doesn't listen after you say no, run away as fast as you can.
4. They're rude to their parents
If they're rude to their parents and the rest of their family, just think of how he'll start treating you when you become part of the family. It'll probably be very similar, so it's best to get out while you can.
5. You've caught them lying
Lying is not OK in any relationship (unless there's a fun surprise involved). If you've caught them lying, even about the tiniest things, you should take note. If they're comfortable lying about small things, they'll eventually lie about big things.
6. They have a history of cheating
There are success stories about relationships that worked out after someone cheated, but one study found that "people who had cheated on a partner in the past were 3.5 times more likely to be unfaithful [again]."
7. They won't introduce you to family
If they won't introduce you to their family, it shows that you're not important enough to be involved in their life because they don't see the relationship going anywhere.
8. Your family can't stand them
Your loved ones, especially moms, can see the signs when you can't. If someone close to you expresses concerns, don't disregard them. They're coming from a place of love and you should probably listen to them, even if what your sister has to say about your boyfriend isn't what you want to hear.
9. They won't apologize, ever
If your partner does something really terrible to you and won't apologize, it's a serious red flag. Heartfelt apologies strengthen relationships, but if you never hear "I'm sorry," it can do a lot of damage.
10. It takes a lot for them to compliment you
As much as we don't think we need compliments, we totally do and they're always better coming from a loved one. You shouldn't have to feel like you need to stop the world for your significant other to notice your accomplishments.
11. Nothing is their fault
This goes along with point nine, but your partner should be able to take responsibility for their actions. It's not healthy if they're constantly making excuses or putting the blame on you.
12. They're rude to the waiter
The way a person treats strangers says a lot about their character. They can be charming to you, but if they yell at the waiter they're probably not actually a nice person all around.
13. They frequently text their friend of the opposite gender
It's normal to have friends outside of your relationship, even if they're the opposite gender. However, if your partner is constantly texting, Snapchatting or messaging one of those friends, they could be having an emotional affair.
14. They're ungrateful
Of course you don't expect to be praised for everything you do, but a little appreciation every once in a while is nice.
15. They're sneaky about their phone
If they won't let you touch their phone with a ten-foot pole, they might just be particular about who touches their things, but they're probably hiding something.
16. You're not completely happy
You deserve to be happy, so don't let a bad relationship ruin your chance of happiness.
Take a step back and really look at your relationship. If you see multiple red flags, you might want to set aside the magical romance for a moment and think about if you'll really be happy in your relationship if it lasts long-term.
