How to spot red flags in relationships

Question

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if behavior is just quirky or actually toxic. I’ve been in situations where things felt off, but I ignored it until it got worse. Would be useful to have a clearer way to recognize patterns earlier.

CyanBird9574 · Answer

I think that could be useful for reflection. I’d probably note down patterns I’ve actually experienced, so I don’t overlook them next time. It’s a way to make my own boundaries clearer.

One way people organize their thoughts about this is by using something like a Crazy Girlfriend Checklist. It usually breaks down behaviors into categories – things like control, trust issues, communication problems, and boundaries. In the middle of that list you’ll often see signs that feel small on their own but add up over time, like constant checking-in or jealousy about casual friends. Since the checklist is editable, you can adapt it to your own experiences, marking what feels relevant and ignoring what doesn’t. That way it becomes more personal instead of just a generic set of warnings.

ExponentialMarten7013 · Answer

One way people organize their thoughts about this is by using something like a Crazy Girlfriend Checklist. It usually breaks down behaviors into categories – things like control, trust issues, communication problems, and boundaries. In the middle of that list you’ll often see signs that feel small on their own but add up over time, like constant checking-in or jealousy about casual friends. Since the checklist is editable, you can adapt it to your own experiences, marking what feels relevant and ignoring what doesn’t. That way it becomes more personal instead of just a generic set of warnings.