Dating someone new can be exciting. You might experience those “butterflies” in your stomach, and chances are both you and your new partner will try to show off your best traits and behaviors.

But, it typically doesn’t take long in a new relationship for people to reveal their true colors. Sometimes, you can be blinded to obvious red flags because of the exciting new feelings you’re experiencing. 

The sooner you pick up on those red flags, though, the sooner you can put a stop to things and avoid a problematic relationship and potential heartache. While not all red flags mean you need to stop dating someone immediately, you need to be aware of them and make good decisions for your well-being. 

With that in mind, let’s cover a few common red flags to watch for when you’re dating someone new. 

Controlling Behavior

One of the biggest red flags that’s easy to spot early in relationships is controlling behavior. It typically starts small. The person you’re dating might want to always pick where you go and what you do. It might even be endearing at first. 

But that can eventually grow into something more sinister. They might try to keep you from friends and family and control what you wear and how you spend your free time. Controlling behavior can lead to anger in the relationship and might even trigger emotional or physical abuse later. 

Narcissistic Behavior

Again, people who just start dating often put their best foot forward. But, there’s a difference between being the best version of yourself and thinking so highly of yourself that you exhibit narcissistic behavior. 

A narcissist never believes they’re wrong. They have to win every argument, have the final say, and often have control of the relationship. Their behaviors are ego-driven, and when anyone tries to challenge them, it tends to end in an argument — or worse.

Low Self-Esteem

When you’re dating someone, even early in a relationship, they should build you up and make you feel good about being with them. If you’ve found that your self-esteem keeps getting worse the more you spend time with that person, consider it a red flag. 

No one should make you question things like your values, your worth, or even your personality or appearance. If you feel worse after every date, it’s best to call things off now. 

Jealousy

People often like to portray jealousy as something cute. Or, they see it as something romantic. Unfortunately, neither of those depictions is based on reality. Jealousy is something that can cause trust issues in a relationship. It can also lead to guilt and make you feel disconnected from family and friends if you’re trying to appease your constantly-jealous partner.