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“5 Years Of My Life Down The Drain For Nothing”: Lifestyle Choices That Scream “Red Flag”
As creatures with the ability to recognize patterns, it should not come as a surprise that most of us start to piece together things that work and things that don’t. In common parlance, things that absolutely do not work are often called “red flags,” some sort of behavior or action that suggests that this person is likely to be unpleasant, immature or unlikeable.
Someone asked “26-30 year old's: What lifestyle choice is an instant red flag?” and netizens shared their examples. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorite examples and add your own thoughts in the comments below.
Image credits: _jlacyn
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
A victim mentality. Everything is always someone else’s fault, and they never take accountability for anything.
RELATED:
#2
Anti-Vaxxers, people who refuse to spay/neuter their pets, Back Yard Breeders, only reading/listening to one sided new sources, people who believe there is only one true religion.
person (i think) 8 months ago
I know a “fun” lady who is so anti-vax that she won’t fix her dog because he has to get vaccinated before he gets fixed.
#3
I'm 27. The biggest red flag to me is when someone tries to live a life they cannot afford on their income.
#4
Friends who cheat on their partner.
Bobert Robertson 8 months ago
Also a red flag to stay friends with someone who cheats. "What you permit you promote"
#5
Anyone that makes their political views their whole personality.
#6
- Constantly involving other people in things that should be kept personal.
- Airing dirty laundry on social media. It’s embarrassing 🤡
I could go on for hours..
Lila Allen 8 months ago
Constantly posting about how perfect their life is... definitely not perfect
#7
Thinking you're a superior human being because you exercise daily; eat healthy; don't watch TV; have a clean house; pursue expensive hobbies; don't drink or do dr**s; have a college degree; have a savings account; have zero debt....... Basically, garnering your self esteem through comparison to others 🚩
veirdbuttrue 8 months ago
This list certainly doesn't make this person superior but they have obviously made some good choices. I wish I had my s**t together like that. But to be honest, I don't know anyone who does.
#9
Anyone involved in a Pyramid Scheme.
#10
Unemployment when you’re perfectly capable of finding a job.
nunya bidness 8 months ago
i was married to a financially a*****e misery. he controlled my salary. once i stopped working i refused to return to work, why work if i have no say in what happens to my salary. later found out he controlled all the finances so he could hide his "hobbies" i wasted 30 years of my life
#11
- When you still go out to party and "get wasted" more than 2x a week.
- When you have abandoned a child and pretends you're a bachelor, single & free.
- When you don't have savings and is still in between jobs or can't stay in a company/employer longer than 3 months
- Can't clean or practice proper hygiene
- Dr**s & Gambling
- Likes to date 18 year olds because they're "fun"
#13
Having kids and only seeing them on holidays.
Magenta Blu 8 months ago
If they see the kids, because those parents are always looking for summer camps and such
#14
Thirsting heavily over random people, making crude sexual comments about appearances. Signifies a lack of self control.
#15
I’m a 31F. For me it was a 🚩when the 27y old guy I was dating told me that his breakfast every day was a Monster can. Every.Single.Day.
Peeka_Mimi 8 months ago
I'm 52yo and love Rockstar Energy for breakfast. How is that different than just having any other caffeinated beverage for breakfast?
#16
Carnivore diets. Anyone who tries to tell you that fruit is unhealthy is lying to you (exceptions for diabetics because they need to monitor all sugar intake)
Dr Jimmy 03 8 months ago
I identify as an Omnivore. Love me all kinds of meat, and I also love me all kinds of veg & fruit.
#17
People who judge based off looks only. i have heard every excuse, but have seen people fall victim or become bullies to what they see, and they are happy with not gathering evidence before they come to a conclusion. THIS makes me wonder who is actually trying to be an adult in those situations?
#18
I’m too young for this but: any significant purposeful investment in any kind of “alternative medicine.” even chiropractic, to a degree. anyone who buys into it is either willfully ignorant to a disturbing degree or just genuinely unable to think for themselves.
Shawn Adams 8 months ago
Chiropractors are quacks! Very dangerous quacks. Playboy model died after a quack killed her "vertebral artery dissection, which is essentially the manipulation of the neck. It tore an artery leading to the brain." don't go to these idiots! https://abc7.com/katie-may-playboy-model-snapchat-instagram/1564102/
#19
Smoking cigarettes, being sedentary most days, not eating fruits and vegetables and drinking alcohol frequently.
#20
Vaping.
Huddo's sister 8 months ago
If you are legitimately using it to get off cigarettes and then stopping, good on you. If not, it's just another a*******n that isn't doing you any good.
#21
Being obsessed with dating instead of chilling out and letting things happen naturally.
#22
Talking about high school/college friends/parties and constantly trying to re-live their “golden years” instead of striving forward.
#23
Depend on someone for your happiness.
ROSESARERED 8 months ago
Most people will do this at one time or another...don't punish yourself if it's you...call it a learning moment. No one will ever be able to make you completely happy, that something you have to do...find yourself, your joys, hates, dreams, sorrow, good and bad...don't give up who you are to be happy with someone else...you will be miserable.
#24
Starting a business with zero thought or plan 💯💯
StrangeOne 8 months ago
I got into an argument with someone on Facebook on a video I saw on my feed. Something to do about what wealthy people do that poor people don't, or some bs like that. One of the points was "don't have a job. Work for yourself" I mentioned how unrealistic that is and someone replied how "easy it is to start a business and work for yourself" and "you don't need money to start a business." There are people out there actually encouraging others to make brash decisions like that.
#25
You don’t eat vegetables or fruit, you don’t drink water and you don’t exercise. 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩 just waiting to die ain’t it?
#26
People who can’t keep their house / apartment clean.
Huddo's sister 8 months ago
For me it depends what level of clean. Like if there is food/crumbs left out it is a worry. Not everyone can keep a place spotless though, especially if they are working full time and/or have a disability or mental health issues. As long as it is not making them and/or others sick or injuring them, I think there is some leeway.
#27
Still being in college... and has been since he was 18, full-time without any semesters off, and hasn't finished a single degree yet.
#28
Constantly putting everything on credit.
Boris Long-Johnson 8 months ago (edited)
This one is missing some context, I think. Constantly putting everything on credit when you can’t afford to pay it off might be a better statement. I put everything I possibly can on my credit card and pay it off at the end of the month. I’ve not paid a card fee or interest for at least 20 years. I’ve also not had to pay for an awful lot of hire cars and hotels because of air miles.
#29
Non-monogamy.
Nota Robot 8 months ago
It's not for me, but provided everyone involved is consenting and on an equal footing I'm not judging.
Magenta Blu 8 months ago
And multiple sexual partners and promiscuity is healthier???
Load More Replies... 
BlameTheGame 7 months ago
This seems like a personal ick rather than a general red flag. Its definitely not for everyone, but people have their own lifestyles.
#30
Long distance relationships😩 5 years of my damn life down the drain for nothing.
FreeTheUnicorn 8 months ago
If anything LDR gives you more time. If you wasted five years of your life when your partner wasnt even there to distract you, that completely on you.
#31
Ever engaged in hook up culture/ lack of commitment to anything but themselves.
#32
Financing a new luxury car.
Brian Droste 8 months ago
If you can afford it, I see nothing wrong with that, but if you can't afford it, then there is a problem.
#33
Supporting not-progressive political parties (republicans in the USA, conservatives in Canada).
#34
Eating out constantly and unable to cook for yourself, tipping 20% when you’re earning just as less as the employee, not learning basic chores, victim mentality in every situation.
Peeka_Mimi 8 months ago
What's wrong with tipping if you're poor? Just because I'm poor doesn't mean I don't have class and having money can't buy you class.
#35
Drinking soda for breakfast.
#38
For us men I think when your primary past time is like video games. I like video games but I rarely have time for them. For women, doom scrolling TikTok while trying to maintain a conversation.
RedHairedDragon 8 months ago
After my workday and after my family has gone to bed it leaves me around 1,5 -2 hours every day to play video games. Usually I play an hour before going to bed, since I have a newborn that I take care of during the night.
#39
The "let's just live the present and let it flow" lifestyle.
Mike F 8 months ago
I feel like, let young folks be young. Obviously not to the exclusion of their responsibilities, but d**n, you are only young once. It sure beats the 💩 out of deciding at 40 something that you need to do what you didn't/couldn't while young and bailing on a family to do it.
#40
Getting a woman pregnant in an unstable relationship and no financial situation.
#41
Having a mini bar in every room.
#43
No goals, no will to improve your situation, lack of self care.
#44
Only fans.
RedHairedDragon 8 months ago
I only know only fans from memes and news stories, but the sexual content on only fans is only a part of what they offer, right?
#45
Living in a van.
#47
The freeloader. No car, no job, no ambition. Or the tech- addict. I spend most my time at home and don’t travel anymore, but I’ve got lots of animals that I care for and observe. Exotic animal husbandry and observation have become my preferred hobby. I don’t even have Wi-Fi or a tv in my house 😅 I’m not saying being anything different than me is a red flag but, you gotta have a hobby that’s not gluing you to technology.
#51
Being a rapper.
#52
Still wanting to have kids. I said what I said.
FreeTheUnicorn 8 months ago
This got a lot of down votes, but if you aren't on the same page about kids, it should absolutely be a red flag.
#53
Exploiting the authentic identity of others for social gratification. Obsessed with social media exploitation. Phone addiction.
#55
One who refuses to get outside their comfort zone for growth.
Rinso The Red 8 months ago
People who try to push me out of my comfort zone. Make a space, don't push
#56
An unquestioning approach to consumerism, and the oppressive systems (colonialism, capitalism, ecological violence, patriarchy, etc) that we all live within.
#57
Saving absolutely all of your money for “retirement” and never getting at least a little tiny treat like bro i don’t even want to live until the age when people usually retire.
#58
Resistant to change, tends to abandon tasks easily, and lacks assertiveness in pursuing growth.
#59
Being a hedonist.
FreeTheUnicorn 8 months ago
Ah yes, who would want a partner that was interested in sensual pleasure? I'd much prefer a hedonist to an acetic/renunciate.
#60
Still being part of a big family where they treat you as powerless because you’re considered younger.
#61
Honestly roomates 🤮 if youre a grown man how tf do you expect to date a girl & have her take you seriously if youre living a dirty bro bachelor life style. Sorry i dont wanna have a sleep over with Kyle & Zach! Also too involved with the family. Soundcloud rappers. No desire to leave their hometown. Etc.
SkyyCaramba 8 months ago
I mean, I want roommates, but that's cuz the economy is s**t. tbh as long as every one isn't nasty i'd be okay with it
#62
Buying a harley.
#65
Not having at least 1 plant. If your place doesn't have a single window, then fine. But if I walk in and there's not 1 plant or at least a dead plant so ik u tried, im leaving.
General Anaesthesia 8 months ago
So you want plants to die proving I tried? Your next post: "dead plants, throw them away!"
#66
Gaining weight.
Peeka_Mimi 8 months ago
WHAT?? People gain weight for any number of reasons. Being judgemental is my red flag.
#67
Waking up late. But it’s not a red flag to other people, rather red flag for you to reconsider you life choices.
What do you think ?
Emilu 8 months ago
Some of these reflect worse on the judgy t**t commenters. No plants? Oh, the humanity! You have a nerve to tip your delivery driver well? Burn at the stake!!
Littlemiss 8 months ago
Putting on weight, not having enough success and, God forbid your house isn't spotless 24/7?!!?
Load More Replies... Johnnynatfan 8 months ago
Most of this list is b******t and the person who listed it is displaying red flag behavior.
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 8 months ago
Wow some of these are judgy AF. Smoking? Not having a spotless house? Gaining weight? Not having f*****g plants? Grow the f**k up, you superior idiots.
Child of the Stars 8 months ago
Yikes. Quite a few of these aren't red flags, just incompatibilities. But a ridiculous number of these are just outright judgemental. Gaining weight? Video games? Skiing? Going somewhere on weekends? Good grief.
Mike F 8 months ago
So many of these were oddly specific. They could well have attached names to the posts type specific. By and large the posters needed the mental help rather than the subject(s) of their posts.
Emilu 8 months ago
I can just imagine this. “NO PLANTS… LOOKING AT *YOU*, JESSICA!!!” (… sorry to any plant-loving Jessicas out there)
Load More Replies... Emilu 8 months ago
Some of these reflect worse on the judgy t**t commenters. No plants? Oh, the humanity! You have a nerve to tip your delivery driver well? Burn at the stake!!
Littlemiss 8 months ago
Putting on weight, not having enough success and, God forbid your house isn't spotless 24/7?!!?
Load More Replies... Johnnynatfan 8 months ago
Most of this list is b******t and the person who listed it is displaying red flag behavior.
The_Nicest_Misanthrope 8 months ago
Wow some of these are judgy AF. Smoking? Not having a spotless house? Gaining weight? Not having f*****g plants? Grow the f**k up, you superior idiots.
Child of the Stars 8 months ago
Yikes. Quite a few of these aren't red flags, just incompatibilities. But a ridiculous number of these are just outright judgemental. Gaining weight? Video games? Skiing? Going somewhere on weekends? Good grief.
Mike F 8 months ago
So many of these were oddly specific. They could well have attached names to the posts type specific. By and large the posters needed the mental help rather than the subject(s) of their posts.
Emilu 8 months ago
I can just imagine this. “NO PLANTS… LOOKING AT *YOU*, JESSICA!!!” (… sorry to any plant-loving Jessicas out there)
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