Support and control can look surprisingly similar at first. Both can involve attention, concern, and involvement in someone’s life. The difference isn’t always obvious, particularly when behavior is initially framed as care or protection.

Leaving an unhealthy relationship doesn’t always bring instant clarity. Even after distance is created, many people find themselves questioning their own instincts, memories, and decisions.

I met him when I was 18, and it started in a way that felt almost ordinary for that stage of life.

Self-doubt is one of the most painful aftereffects of an unhealthy relationship. Even when someone knows something wasn’t right, they may still question their own memory, instincts, or reactions. That inner conflict can linger long after a relationship ends, making people wonder if they imagined things or somehow caused the harm themselves.

A lot of people know what an unhealthy relationship feels like: stress, confusion, or a constant sense of walking on eggshells. But far fewer people can describe what emotional safety actually looks like when things are healthy.

Breakups are emotional. People grieve, feel confused, and often want answers that don’t exist. Reaching out once or twice after a relationship ends can be part of processing that loss.

Not all boundary violations come from bad intentions. In many relationships, lines are crossed quietly through repeated requests, emotional pressure, or expectations that slowly grow over time. Because these moments don’t always look dramatic, they’re easy to dismiss, especially when the person involved claims they “just care.”

Unhealthy relationships don’t always begin with obvious harm. More often, they start with subtle patterns that feel confusing, easy to dismiss, or hard to explain. Discover the top 10 red flags here.

Emotional abuse rarely begins with obvious harm. There isn’t always a moment that feels clearly wrong or alarming. More often, it starts subtly, through the tiniest behavioral shifts that are easy to dismiss, explain away, or misunderstand.

High school is often where people experience their first serious relationships. These connections can feel exciting, intense, confusing, and deeply important, especially when emotions are new and social pressure is high.

Technology plays a central role in modern relationships. Location sharing, shared passwords, and constant communication are often framed as signs of closeness or trust, but in some situations, these behaviors can quietly cross into control.

Jealousy is one of the most misunderstood emotions in relationships. It’s often framed as passion, devotion, or proof that someone cares deeply. Movies romanticize it. Social media jokes about it. Friends may even reassure one another that jealousy is “normal.”

January marks National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) - a time dedicated to recognizing stalking for what it is: a serious, dangerous, and often misunderstood crime. Now in its 22nd year, NSAM is a national call to action to improve awareness, support victims, and hold offenders accountable - not just this month, but all year long.

Emotional abuse doesn’t always look the way people expect it to. It often develops slowly, quietly, and without clear boundaries, making it difficult to recognize, especially in the early stages of a relationship.

The holidays are often portrayed as a time of connection, joy, and closeness, but once they end, many people feel an emotional crash. Decorations come down, routines return, and the quiet of January settles in. For many people of all ages, this is when relationship stress becomes more noticeable, not less.

As the year comes to a close, there’s often an unspoken expectation to reflect, to tally accomplishments, measure growth, and imagine a cleaner, brighter version of ourselves waiting on the other side of midnight. But real reflection doesn’t always look neat. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s emotional. Sometimes it’s simply noticing what felt heavy and what didn’t.

For many people, the holidays are a time of warmth, joy, and togetherness. But for others — especially young adults navigating complex family dynamics or emotionally heavy spaces — going home doesn’t feel simple. The idea of returning to your childhood home, reconnecting with relatives, or stepping back into old patterns can stir up anxiety, tension, or uncertainty.

It’s never been easier to start a relationship or easier to misunderstand what a healthy relationship looks like. Young adults often navigate love and dating at the intersection of social media culture, fast-moving communication, and constant digital connection. Because of this, early warning signs of unhealthy behavior can be harder to spot, easier to explain away, and sometimes even mislabeled as “romantic.”