Unhealthy vs Healthy Relationship Behaviours - Recognise the Red Flags

When it comes to unhealthy vs healthy relationship behaviours and attitudes, there are some clear red flags.

Take a look at these examples of what’s crossing and what’s respecting the line.

When it comes to intimacy, clear consent and mutual respect are non-negotiable.

Below are real-world examples showing how actions can either honour personal boundaries or cross the line.

Crossing the line (not okay) ✗	Respecting the line (okay) ✓
They said they're not ready to have sex, so I hinted that plenty of other people would be. If they won't do it, maybe someone else will.	I only want to do what you're comfortable with. It's not any fun (or hot) unless we both want it.
I promised I wouldn't share their nudes, but they still wouldn't send any – so I secretly snapped a shower pic of them.	I did ask for a pic, but when they said no, so I let it go. If someone's not comfortable with something like that, I'm not going to push it.
They're clearly holding out on me, thinking it'll keep me interested, so I told them straight up: you can only play that game so long before I'm outta here.	Everybody has their own feelings and reasons about sex, and those reasons matter. I'm not going to try to have sex with someone who's not into it.

Jealousy and Control vs Trust and Independence

It's normal to feel a bit jealous sometimes, but there's a big difference between feeling insecure and trying to control your partner.

A healthy relationship is built on trust and giving each other space.

Crossing the line (not okay) ✗	Respecting the line (okay) ✓
I told them I’m not cool with them hanging out with certain friends. Honestly, for all I know, they could be flirting or even cheating, and I’m just not okay with that.	We've got our own interests and different friend groups, and honestly, I love that—it gives us more to chat about!
He gets super pissed off if she even mentions someone else, but I figure he's just really into her.	Sometimes things get heated between them, so I check in with both of them. I try to give him a reality check that having friends outside the relationship is totally normal. If he's stressed about it, he should talk it out with her or even with me instead of freaking out.

How you talk during conflicts or about sensitive topics really shows where your relationship is at.

Insults, yelling, or shaming each other are unhealthy relationship behaviours red flags.

Respecting boundaries means staying calm, listening, and talking things through without attacking one another.

Crossing the line (not okay) ✗	Respecting the line (okay) ✓
I called her a really nasty name as a 'joke' when I found out she's slept with more people than me.	We’ve got way more interesting things to talk about than exes. And we have way better pet names for each other than resorting to that kind of disrespectful trash.
I get so angry when we're arguing that I end up yelling. And then they just say even more stupid stuff, which doesn't help.	I might not always agree with their opinions, but I'd rather talk and actually hear them out than start shouting. I'd much rather have a conversation than a fight.