could there be long distance relationship red flags to look out for?
Long distance relationships can be challenging, as they require a lot of effort, patience, and trust to make them work.
While there are many success stories of long distance relationships, it’s important to be aware of the red flags that may indicate that your relationship is not healthy or sustainable.
Because there is a gulf of distance between you and your partner, you definitely need to pay attention to the possible red flags that may be underlying in regard to your relationship.
Red flags do not come as one expects sometimes.
Often, it is the ignored, subtle acts that constitute the red flags in a relationship.
Here are 10 long distance relationship red flags to look out for:
10 Long Distance Relationship Red Flags You Should Never Ignore
1. Lack of communication:
Communication is key in any relationship, and it’s even more important in a long distance relationship.
You cannot be in a relationship with someone who is not willing to communicate with you regularly.
It is enough that they are far away.
Bridging the gap of physical presence should be done with seamless communication.
If you happen to be the one always initiating conversation and your partner never seems to have anything to say to you this could be a red flag.
A relationship without communication is just you forming an acquaintance with the other party.
2. Lack of effort:
Long distance relationships require a lot of effort from both parties.
You have to put in effort to talk, effort to see each other, and effort to communicate even when you are in a different time zone.
Amidst all of these, you still have to create time and effort to bond over activities even when you are far away from each other.
Effort is the major fertiliser for survival in long-distance relationships.
It is what determines the input in the relationship.
Where one party puts in all the effort and the other party’s just been laid back it will lead to frustration on the person that is putting in all the effort.
Where your partner is not putting in effort as much as you are it could be a red flag that they are not as invested as you are in the relationship
3. Lack of trust:
Trust is important in any relationship but much more important in a long-distance relationship.
If you feel like you can’t trust your partner or they’re constantly questioning your actions then it is a cause for concern.
When your partner does not trust you, it can lead to you having to validate every action you take.
It might even lead to a case of false accusation on their part.
If you find yourself in a relationship where your partner does not trust you even when you have not given them a ground to then you might want to re-evaluate that relationship.
4. Lack of commitment:
When you feel your partner is not committed to your relationship or you feel they are not taking it seriously then it could be a sign that they are not really into you.
A person committed to you is all about the success and progress of the relationship not otherwise.
When your partner is indifferent about the things that happened in your relationship then you can consider that a red flag.
It doesn’t matter that they are far away from you.
Commitment is not about physical presence but what they do with or without their presence.
5. Inconsistent behaviour:
Some partners are just out to confuse you.
Sometimes in a long distance relationship, your partner might just be blowing hot and cold.
One moment they seem like the best decision in the world and nothing will change your mind about them.
The next moment they are like a thorn in your flesh and you begin to question why you are with them in the first place.
You honestly don’t need this kind of person in your life especially when they are far away.
This kind of partner will mess with your mood all the time because they are not consistent and reliable.
For me, I’ll say you should consider this as a red flag.
6. Jealousy:
While a little jealousy is normal in any healthy relationship it can be problematic in a long distance relationship.
This is so because if your partner is constantly jealous or possessive it can mess up with you.
Their jealousy and possessiveness can impact your daily activities and even your self-esteem if you’re not being careful.
A jealous or possessive partner in a long distance relationship wants to control every aspect of your life especially when it relates to your communication with the other sex.
Any partner that causes this kind of discomfort to you should be considered a red flag.
7. Lack of support:
Being with someone who supports your goals is as important to your life as the air you breathe.
If you’re with a partner who is dismissive of your aspirations, trust me, it is a red flag.
A partner who is not supportive of your goals and aspirations will cast a shade of failure on you if you happen not to be sure of yourself.
However little it may be, your partner should support your dreams and aspirations in one way or the other.
If you find that your partner constantly talks down on your goals despite not being physically present, you should know that is a red flag.
8. Disappearing acts:
It’s not enough that your partner is not physically around with you all the time.
They also go blank on you without any form of explanation that could validly explain why they did so.
They appear and disappear whenever they deem fit.
You definitely know this kind of person does not put into consideration how their action affects you.
This is a big deal that can impact your relationship.
You need a person who you can count on in your life and not the other way round.
9. Refusal to make plans:
In any long distance relationship, your partner should be willing to make plans with you.
You should make plans that involve the future of either of you or the future of your relationships.
When they don’t make plans with you or involve themselves when you initiate the plans, they might not be fully into you and this should be considered a red flag.
10. Lack of intimacy:
In a long distance relationship, physical intimacy is almost impossible but emotional intimacy is practicable.
You should be able to be vulnerable to your partner and he should be vulnerable to you too.
If your partner is not willing to share their emotions or feelings with you, you might want to re-evaluate your place in their life.
In conclusion, long distance relationships can be challenging, but they can also be successful if both parties are willing to put in the effort and communicate effectively.
What you should know are things that work for you and things you can compromise on.
When you see any red flags coming up, have an honest conversation with your partner before things blow out of proportion.