When it comes to personal relationships, take your time, trust your gut & follow your instincts (unless they are telling you to cause harm to yourself or others).
I’ve been watching Evil Lives Here on Investigation Discovery and almost every person telling their story saw signs and dismissed them for various reasons. I’ve also had my fair share of experiences with people that I’ve had bad gut feelings about, most I followed, but I’ve been guilty of dismissing them as well.
EVERYBODY has faults. Most people put their best foot forward when they want to make a good impression on people. The most evil and manipulative people in this world are masters at that. If someone seems too good to be true there’s a 50/50 chance that they are. That doesn’t mean you should be suspicious of them, but be cautious. Be cautious with anyone you bring into your life.
If your gut is telling you something is off, trust it. If your instinct about a person is telling you something is wrong, follow it. Don’t allow that person to be a part of, or continue to be a part of your personal life. Don’t rush in. Take your time before you get in a position where it is hard, or impossible, to leave. Save yourself when you can. There is no ‘good side’ of a person that is worth being abused for. In any form. Don’t think it’s only abuse if you are being physically assaulted. Mental, emotional & verbal abuse are no different. Abuse is abuse. Don’t take it. Run, don’t walk. You are worth more.
People share their stories in hopes of helping other people. Learn from them.
Remember these people are victims too. They have suffered enough trauma, feel guilty enough over it & are putting themselves out there despite fear of judgement and reliving it all over again to try to help others, don’t be assholes to them.