My friends and relatives would warn me about the same things over and over, but I would defend him with my whole heart and tell them they did not know him like I did. I meant every word and I believed every excuse I made for him, so I kept ignoring what was right in front of me.

Now I look back and I see it clearly. The red flags were never big or dramatic, they were small things like a cancellation that happened too often or a story that did not quite add up. I ignored that feeling in my stomach for years because I wanted to believe in him more than I wanted to believe in myself, but I have learned to trust that feeling now.

I do not defend people anymore just because I want them to be good. I watch what they do instead of what I wish they would do.

What is one small red flag you have learned to spot early that used to fool you?

Olga✈️