Article created by: Justinas Keturka

Happily-ever-afters are rarer than you might think. According to research, 85% of people will experience a breakup in their lifetime, while two-thirds of couples end up breaking up within half a year of becoming parents for the first time. The reality is that not everyone is compatible, nor is everyone willing to work hard on their flaws. And sometimes, the signs are clear for everyone to see.

Internet user u/peachsnatch sparked a vulnerable online discussion on r/AskReddit after asking everyone to share what their exes have done that should’ve made them leave right then and there. Scroll down for their stories and what major relationship red flags look like.

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#1

Couple having a tense conversation in kitchen, illustrating regret and relationship issues for people who don’t leave SO sooner. She hit me. A lot. She was also verbally abusive and made fun of my PTSD from military service. I finally worked up the courage to leave a few months ago.

potmakesmefeelnormal , Mikhail Nilov Report

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    #2

    Orange tabby cat sitting by a window, looking outside with calm eyes, capturing a peaceful moment indoors. Told me “he’s just a cat, you’ll be okay.” When my best friend died.

    inkydinky23 Report

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    #3

    Person leaving a wooden house, symbolizing regret and moving on from a challenging relationship with their significant other. She was at my place, said she had to go home. I said something along the lines of "okay, have a safe trip back." She got mad at me for not fighting for her to stay longer. It felt so immature. I have no interest in games, only clear and open communication. I dumped her the next day.

    Master-Baker-69 , Dương Nhân Report

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    #4

    Empty curved highway at night with distant city lights, illustrating isolation in regret and relationship reflection. Chasing me down the highway after a fight, passing and braking in front of me until I pulled over. The knots you can tie yourself into at 20 to convince yourself that reckless and abusive behaviour is somehow romantic is absolutely insane.

    strangelittlething , Amber Kipp Report

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    #5

    Dark wooden coffin with floral arrangement in a vintage room reflecting regret in relationship situations. When I got the call that my grandmother had unexpectedly passed, I was understandably distraught. The usual meltdown with tears and wailing from the utter shock of the whole thing.

    He apparently “couldn’t handle” the state I was in and was very upset at my reaction. So I ended up comforting him the whole night/day after instead of properly grieving the loss of someone who was essentially my second mother.

    Classic_Screen_825 , Pavel Danilyuk Report

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    #6

    Young couple looking upset and regretful, illustrating people who regret not leaving their significant other sooner in relationships. Making me feel bad for bringing up something that made me uncomfortable, insecure, sad, angry, or any other emotion.

    EstimateJealous1388 , jm_video Report

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    #7

    Woman looking out window with mountains in background, reflecting on relationships and regret in a somber mood. Manipulating me into not going out, seeing friends, meeting new people, having hobbies on my own. Basically anything that caused us to not be together 24/7.

    ZwaanAanDeMaas , Felipe Cespedes Report

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    #8

    A woman in a yellow vest passionately talking to a man outdoors, illustrating relationship regret and communication issues. She spat in my face during an argument. I should have ended it there, but I was dumb enough to stick around a couple of weeks more, when she did it again.

    Banff_Beer , Budgeron Bach Report

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    #9

    Man confronting woman against wall, showing tension and regret in a troubled relationship scene about leaving SO sooner. Consistent disrespect, belittling or talking down, especially in front of others.

    TemptingHeartBabe , Timur Weber Report

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    #10

    Looking up between two tall apartment buildings with balconies, illustrating regret and reflection themes. Threw my phone off a 7th story balcony while raging drunk, convinced that I was cheating on her....yeah kept dating her for another two years RIP me.

    Severe-Chemistry9922 , SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS Report

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    #11

    Hand gripping a car gear shift inside a vehicle, symbolizing control and change in relationships and regret themes. Man. Where to start. No didn't mean no. She cheated on me. Threw knives at me. Held a knife to my throat in a argument. Tried to run me over a couple times. Lied. A lot. Spilled personal secrets like they meant nothing.

    Prime_kills , Erik Mclean Report

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    #12

    Woman lying on a patterned rug, focusing on a hand wearing a ring, conveying regret in a relationship context. When he broke my ribs and my hand. But instead I forgave him... that time.

    OneOldBear , RDNE Stock project Report

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    #13

    Two dogs lying on a bed in a dimly lit room, symbolizing companionship and relationship dynamics. He beat my dogs. That should've been the end of it, but the real end of it was when he threatened to beat my kid. I still feel ashamed that I didn't leave long before that.

    katrilli , Jared Murray Report

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    #14

    Couple affectionately smiling on couch while another man stands in doorway, relating to regret not leaving SO sooner. Cheated on me at the start. She said she was sorry and I thought we could move from it. We didn't.

    CmBucket_3000 , Ron Lach Report

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    #15

    Dimly lit hospital bed in a dark room symbolizing regret and difficult decisions in relationships and personal health. In June of last year I spent nearly a month in hospital. After I finally got discharged I get home and she tells me that she got the guest room set up for me. Her excuse for making me sleep in the guest room was "you're on penicillin and I'm allergic to it". It didn't make sense to me at all and stung so much after almost a month of having very little human interaction.

    About six months later I found out that she was cheating on me while I was sick.

    zomenis , Frederic Köberl Report

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    #16

    Man holding a sparkler with a child in his arms, capturing a moment of regret and reflection on relationships. When I saw he cared so much about his ex wife and the son they had together, at first I believed he was just a good man who wanted to be a good father and a good ex… and then he started treating me and our daughter as if we were dissposable, but never stopped spoiling his ex. It took me a while to accept it, but I finally left and I’m very happy I did.

    TiredAF2023 , Caleb Jones Report

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    #17

    Couple arguing outdoors in a park, illustrating regret and relationship issues with significant others. Would lie about the smallest things that didn't matter if she thought I wouldn't like the truth. Surprise surprise she lied about bigger things...

    Alternative_Simple_3 , Vera Arsic Report

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    #18

    Highway with multiple cars driving surrounded by trees, representing people who regret not leaving their SO sooner. She took the keys out of my car while I was driving on the highway.

    BestShivvyNA , vyko vikor Report

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    #19

    Close-up of a person crying with a visible tear, expressing regret and emotional pain related to relationship struggles. He said that he will hurt me from the beginning, instead of thinking that it won’t be like that or that I am smarter, I simply should have left. They know themselves, sometimes got to listen and hear it and I would have spared a lot of my mental health. Now whenever someone says that they are not a good person, can’t commit or say that it never ends well - it’s more than enough for me to say thanks for the heads up and bye.

    IlzeLemon , Kaboompics Report

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    #20

    Close-up of hands with an engagement ring, symbolizing regret in relationships and realizing true partner identity. Didn't tell other men who hit on her that we were engaged.

    RoutineComplaint4711 , TranStudios Photography & Video Report

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    #21

    A man appearing regretful and stressed, holding his face in his hand, illustrating relationship regret and emotional struggle. Ultimatums. I gave in to the first one not really recognizing the ultimatum. For years after that it was one thing after another until it was one bridge too far.

    speedinbullet2u , Gül Işık Report

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    #22

    A young woman in a red hoodie sitting on the floor in a dimly lit room, reflecting with regret about her relationship. She wasn’t happy when I was around.

    Chrissyjustshowus , Sofia Alejandra Report

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    #23

    Birthday cake with lit candles on a table, symbolizing moments of reflection and regret in relationships. Made other plans on my birthday.

    UhohSantahasdiarrhea , lil artsy Report

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