Love
The thing we all crave. The force that makes the world go round. That spark, that connection—that sense of belonging to someone who truly gets you. We all dream of it, even more so as Valentine’s Day approaches. But love, as enchanting as it seems, is not always perfect. Beneath the romance, there are often small but telling warning signs, the kind we tend to ignore because we are too caught up in the butterflies fluttering their wings in our stomachs.
These signs are called ”red flags”.
I am willing to bet you already knew that, though.
So why do we ignore them?
Love is funny that way. Our hearts can sometimes be louder than our heads. The rush of emotions, the thrill of new beginnings—it can all cloud our judgment. Suddenly, the subtle signs that something is off fade into the background. And let us be honest: red flags rarely come with flashing lights and blaring sirens. Instead, they creep in quietly, disguised as something sweet.
It could be an overwhelming flood of affection, a never-ending stream of compliments, or someone who seems too perfect. In the early days of love, these moments feel like bliss. But love can blind us.
We convince ourselves:
“It is just a quirk.”
“They are nervous.”
“It is no big deal.”
But here is the truth: those red flags are not just “quirks.” They are often early signs of something more troubling, things that, if left unchecked, could become much bigger problems.
One of the sneakiest red flags, according to psychologists, is love bombing—when someone showers you with excessive gifts, compliments, and attention right from the start. It feels incredible, doesn’t it? You feel adored, wanted, and deeply cherished. But what happens when that overwhelming affection turns into control? What happens when the person who once made you feel special subtly begins dictating your choices, your time, and even your thoughts?
You owe it to yourself to listen to that inner voice because red flags do not always show up in grand, dramatic ways. They are in the missable moments of manipulations, the offhand comments, and how someone reacts when you set a boundary. They may seem insignificant at first, but over time, they can snowball into something far more serious.
So, how do we stop missing them?
Think of it like cooking. The simplest ingredients can either come together beautifully or fall apart in the wrong hands. In the same way, relationships require attention to detail. You do not need to have everything figured out immediately, but it is worth paying attention to the small moments that make you uneasy.
This Valentine’s season, while you are planning that perfect date (perhaps whipping up a delicious dish with a little help from your wingman in the kitchen, Knorr), remember that love is not just about grand gestures or picture-perfect moments. It is about how you feel in the quiet, everyday interactions.
Love should make you feel safe.
Seen.
Appreciated.
Nurtured, like a well cooked meal made with Knorr.
And what if the red flags start showing up even in these moments?
Do not be afraid to put the pot down and walk away.