The early days of dating can be intoxicating. Everything feels new, exciting, and full of possibility. You’re drawn to their laugh, their stories, the way they look at you across the table. But beneath the butterflies, it’s important to stay grounded — to notice the signs that something might not be quite right.

Red flags aren’t always obvious. They don’t come with flashing lights or loud alarms. Sometimes, they whisper. A dismissive comment. A cancelled plan that never gets rescheduled. A gut feeling you can’t quite explain. And in the haze of attraction, it’s easy to rationalize, to make excuses, to hope it’s just a fluke. But red flags ignored early often become dealbreakers later.

Pay attention to how they handle your boundaries. Do they respect your pace, your time, your values? Or do they try to push, persuade, or guilt you into doing things their way? Healthy love doesn’t rush you — it meets you where you are.

Notice how they talk about others. If their stories are full of contempt — for exes, for waitstaff, for anyone who’s not in the room — it’s only a matter of time before that contempt finds its way to you. Kindness behind closed doors matters more than charm in public.

Watch how they handle “no.” Not just the big ones — but the small ones. Do they accept when you disagree, or do they try to win? Do they get quiet, sulky, or sarcastic? A healthy partner doesn’t punish your independence.

And then there’s inconsistency. Hot one day, cold the next. Passionate texts followed by silence. Words that don’t match actions. Confusion is not chemistry — it’s often a sign that someone isn’t ready, isn’t serious, or is playing games.

Sometimes the biggest red flag is how you feel. Do you feel safe? Seen? Steady? Or are you constantly second-guessing, adjusting, wondering what you did wrong? The right connection won’t leave you anxious — it will bring clarity, not chaos.

It’s not about being paranoid or overanalyzing every little thing. It’s about trusting yourself enough to know what feels off — and brave enough to walk away if it doesn’t change.

Red flags don’t mean someone’s evil. But they do mean you might not be emotionally safe. And the longer you ignore them, the harder it becomes to leave.

Love should feel like alignment — not a puzzle you’re constantly trying to solve.