Collecting Red Flags Like a Sport

They say your favourite colour says a lot about you. For me, it’s red – or at least that's what my friends love to joke about, considering my undeniable knack for collecting red flags. Not that I'm actively out there seeking them. It just happens. One situationship after another; each one with the same predictable ending: “I’m not ready for a commitment right now.” Really? After three, six months of acting like we’re in a relationship, then you realise this?

To anyone watching from the outside, I’m sure it seems simple: “Why didn’t you see the signs? Why didn’t you ask for commitment upfront?” But I’m convinced these people aren’t dating in this decade. It’s a different world out here. Every date seems to follow the same script; a mix of sweet nothings, half-hearted promises, and the grand finale: “You’re special, but I just can’t commit.”

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that line, I’d probably be set for life. It’s funny how, time after time, these guys can manage to say all the right things, make you feel like you’re the exception, only to turn around and hit you with, “Sorry, I’m not in the right place for a relationship.” Couldn’t they have mentioned this somewhere between Day One and Day, oh, I don’t know…50?

It’s almost comforting (almost) to know I’m not alone in this. Scroll through TikTok, and you’ll find endless videos of people sharing nearly identical stories. Honestly, we should just form a support group. How are so many of us falling into these same non-committal traps? It’s like we’re all reading from the same tragic, hilarious playbook.

But, hey, I’m not giving up. Sure, I get knocked down, but I dust myself off, straighten up, and try again. Maybe I just refuse to give up on the idea of happiness, or maybe I want to know I gave it my all before hanging up my gloves. Who knows, maybe breaking the cycle is just a matter of patience, or maybe I’m one or two red flags away from finding someone truly ready.

So, can I break the pattern? Will I finally find someone who’s in it for real? Stay tuned – this story isn’t over yet.

Photo by Clearcut Derby on Unsplash