He only reaches out when it benefits him: You notice the conversations start when he needs something—support, attention, favors—but fade when you need him.
Plans are always on his terms
Your schedule bends around his availability, yet he rarely adjusts his plans to meet you halfway.
He avoids commitment conversations
Whenever the future comes up, he changes the subject, jokes it away, or makes you feel like you’re asking for too much.
Your needs are consistently minimized
What matters to you is treated as overreacting, dramatic, or inconvenient.
Affection feels conditional
Warmth and kindness appear when you comply, then disappear when you assert boundaries.
He keeps you emotionally confused
One day he’s close and attentive, the next distant and cold—leaving you questioning where you stand.
You give more than you receive
Time, emotional energy, support, or resources flow mostly in one direction.
He avoids introducing you to important people
Friends, family, or colleagues remain off-limits without clear explanations.
You feel guilty for wanting basic respect
He subtly makes you feel selfish for asking for honesty, time, or consistency.
He benefits from your loyalty without offering security
You act like a partner while he enjoys freedom without responsibility.
Your confidence has slowly declined
You second-guess yourself more, feel less secure, and question your worth since being involved with him.
He disappears during difficult moments
When life gets hard for you, he’s suddenly unavailable or emotionally checked out.
Your intuition keeps raising red flags
Even without clear proof, something feels off—and that feeling doesn’t go away.
You’re staying because of potential, not reality
You’re holding onto who he could be rather than who he consistently shows himself to be.
Recognizing these patterns isn’t about blaming yourself. Many people stay longer than they should because they care deeply, hope sincerely, and believe in loyalty. But healthy relationships don’t leave you feeling used, uncertain, or emotionally drained. Paying attention to behavior—not promises—can help you protect your time, energy, and self-worth before deeper damage is done.
