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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Dating red flags?

4 replies

ShambalaHambala · 30/04/2020 14:39

I was previously in an abusive relationship for approx 3 years. Serious abuse but won't go in to it. It has changed me as a person. I have done the freedom programme. Had counselling. Worked on myself as a person and overcome the panic of entering the real world again. I am now dating and after a couple of failed dates, I've met someone quite lovely. Where in struggling is that I am now SO aware of red flags, and extremely hypersensitive to anything that could be a red flag, that I am questioning everything to the point that it is unhealthy. I'll tell him he's lovely and he'll joke "Ha! Fooled you" with a wink. It's a joke. He's funny. He jokes all the time, but then I find myself thinking 'bloody hell, what if he has fooled me'. He's not controlling, doesn't appear jealous, doesn't text all the time to the point of being overwhelmed, is moving very slowly with the relationship (obviously Covid has helped more recently). I feel pretty confused. Can anyone help me to rationalize this in my head?

OP posts:
Eesha · 30/04/2020 15:19

I think this sounds normal really. I was in an abusive relationship, though mental as my ex is an alcoholic so I believe less impactful to me than your situation. I also am very sensitive to red flags so can imagine you must be much more. My current iron, whom I've never met, says hes happy to wait to meet me because he feels like he has been waiting his whole life for me. So is this a red flag, or a joke/charming or something more sinister?! He is French so i think more forthright! I think you'll always be sensitive but the right man will understand this. This man seems nice though, good luck Flowers

Windmillwhirl · 30/04/2020 16:12

Your guard is clearly up but you need to be realistic. No one is perfect and everything can be a potential real flag. Dont forget to enjoy yourself. If you walk around looking for red flags you will find something and likely obsess about it. The fact you have been in an abusive relationship could be seen as a red flag to him! Who knows?

Dating is meant to be fun. Try and enjoy it until you have a legitimate reason not to.

ShambalaHambala · 30/04/2020 21:34

He doesn't actually know I was in an abusive relationship. I don't plan on telling him either.

OP posts:
longtimecomin · 30/04/2020 21:45

You need to keep your guard up and keep getting to know him. It's hard to know at this early stage.

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