Have you ever entered into a relationship which almost immediately led your friends to say stuff like ‘Are you sure about this?’ or ‘This doesn’t seem right.’ Well, forming a new relationship might sound exciting but one be very considerate of the initial warning signs. These ‘warning signs’ can be anything that icks you from the very beginning. It can be as simple as a random habit or inability to communicate when it is mostly needed. For some people, these warning signs become trigger points later which severely impact one’s mental health, physical well-being and can even cause emotional trauma.
You must be aware of the term ‘red flag,’ however, that’s not the term we use to address these signs. Actually, they are referred to as the ‘pink flags.’ It can be easily understood as something that is not a deal-breaker…at least for now. ‘Pink Flags’ are disguised ‘Red Flags’ and they are so much worse! They do way more damage than any ‘red flag’ would do to an individual. Reason? You don’t see them coming. In fact, they can be up close to you and you would still choose to ignore it because they won’t seem ‘as bad’ and you definitely do not want to end a good thing going on in your life.
How PINK FLAGS Can Look Like?
Let’s say, your partner has a habit of smoking, they cannot go on a day without lighting a cigarette. So, your initial thoughts could be telling you that this is unacceptable but the conflicting thought would tell you that it can be managed and this is not something to mess things over. Do they believe in avoiding difficult conversations? Pink Flag. Are they ‘way too friendly’ with the opposite gender? Pink Flag. Do they not like something that you love about yourself? Pink Flag! Do you have to ‘fetch’ their attention?’ Pink Flag. Do they make fun of you in public and call it a ‘joke’ later? MAJOR PINK FLAG!
These are minor irritations that set off internal alarms. Anything and everything that bothers you but not enough for you to get up and walk away. Pink Flags can be so subtle that one can feel almost guilty for reacting to them. They raise a lot of mind-pulling questions like:
‘Is this relationship working out for me?’
‘Should I stay or leave?’
‘Is it really that big of a deal or am I overthinking?’
Identifying and Addressing Pink Flags
As important as it is to identify pink flags in its early stages, it’s not easy. Why? Because Pink Flags may not be immediately noticeable. So, how can you figure it out? Well, as soon as you start to feel suffocated in a relationship it should be a sign enough. Be very well aware of your boundaries and see if your partner skips them. If everyone around you has been telling you the same thing about your partner and you do not like hearing about it…maybe it’s time to step back and view the situation from a ‘third-person perspective.’ Figuring out the pink flags can be tiring and confusing. Taking inventory of your “must-haves” and “non-negotiables” helps you understand when something crosses a boundary. This reflection makes it easier to differentiate between pink flags and genuine deal-breakers.
After noticing a pink flag, don’t let it simmer. Instead, process it, reflect on it, and have a conversation about it. Being vocal about your expectations is the key to saving a relationship. It can prevent these pink flags from turning into ‘red.’ Healthy communication can help prevent misunderstandings and provide clarity about the relationship’s future.
While pink flags may not always signal the end of a relationship, they should never be ignored. How you wish to deal with them is totally up to your goals and experiences. Time is the most valuable and powerful entity, you choose how you would like to spend it.
