The 5Cs To Avoid In A Relationship

February is the month of love – a time for Valentine's Day and remembering love – emphasizing the importance of relationships in our lives.

Relationships are an important part of life, and a healthy partnership can bring joy, love, and support into your life. However, not all relationships are created equal, and certain traits can make a relationship toxic, damaging, and even dangerous.

Previously we have looked into 'The 5Cs Of A Happy Marriage'. Here we will look into the five traits to avoid in a relationship. That way, you can find the bond you should have and get the joy you deserve!

Controlling

Controlling behavior is a big no-no in relationships. It can be possessiveness, limiting contact with friends and family, or making decisions for you. It is usually rooted in fear or insecurity. Talk to your partner if you think this is happening.

Indicators of over-controlling behavior are: decisions made without consulting, humiliation or criticism, checking up on activities or whereabouts, punishing for not following instructions, and not accepting 'no' as an answer. Control between partners is never healthy - it suggests trust issues and unequal power dynamics.

A partner who is controlling may try to exert control over your finances as well. This could involve limiting your access to money or insisting on making all financial decisions for the both of you. This can make it difficult to plan for your financial future together and can lead to feelings of resentment or mistrust.

Critical

Finding the perfect romantic partner is important for a successful relationship. But, sometimes a person who appears to be your ideal can have negative traits that make the relationship not-so-ideal. One of these traits is being overly critical -- when they point out your flaws and ridicule you often. This can reduce your sense of self-worth and even affect other parts of your life.

Constructive criticism and healthy disagreements are natural in relationships. However, when a partner is excessively critical -- judgmental and mean -- it should not be ignored. Here are the behaviors of someone that is overly critical:

• Using sarcasm as an insult, not humor
• Making generalizations about you
• Getting angry or offended at minor issues
• Giving advice more than needed
• Having unrealistic expectations from partnerships.

Look for someone who respects you and will encourage you rather than bring you down.

Closed Minded

In a relationship, one should feel free and not guard themselves. But this can be difficult when one partner is closed-minded. This means they are unwilling to accept new information, different views or changes.

This can cause arguments, disagreements and stagnation in the relationship. If one partner refuses to believe there could be anything wrong with them or their partner's opinion, this stops open communication and understanding each other.

A partner who is closed minded may also struggle to communicate about financial matters, which can make it difficult to plan for your financial future together. It is important to be able to have open and honest conversations about money in order to create a shared vision for your financial goals.

Cheating

When it comes to relationships, cheating is a huge no-no. It involves one partner breaking the trust by having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone else without their partner's consent or knowledge. This is a serious offense which has devastating consequences.

It can lead to feelings of hurt, loss, mistrust, and resentment. These can be hard to heal. Hence, couples must set an ethical boundary and express agreement upon mutual respect. That way, they can avoid cheating.

Cheating can have financial implications as well. For example, if a partner is cheating and spending money on the affair, this can impact your joint financial goals and plans. Additionally, if a partner is hiding assets or engaging in financial infidelity, this can have a significant impact on your financial well-being and long-term plans.

Compulsive Lying

Compulsive lying is a trait that should be avoided in any relationship. Unlike regular lies, compulsive ones are told without any clear motive. This can lead to trust issues and even damage the relationship, such as physical abuse or court orders.

People with this behavior may not understand why lying is wrong, or need attention from others. To have a healthy relationship, trust must be mutual. Examples of compulsive lying include: making up stories, exaggerating stories, lying about moral reasons, gossiping, or inventing stories about themselves.

There are several traits that can be detrimental to a healthy and successful relationship, and this includes traits that can impact financial planning. These characteristics can make it difficult to work together as a team and plan for a shared financial future. It is important to be aware of these negative traits and to address them early on in the relationship, in order to create a strong foundation for a successful financial future together. By avoiding these negative traits and working together in an open and honest way, couples can create a healthy and supportive environment for their financial planning and decision-making.