Control within a relationship is a cagey yet insidious form of emotional abuse.
Unfortunately, it’s often the case that men who exhibit controlling behavior take advantage of women who are deeply in love with them.
A controlling boyfriend’s tactics often stifle your personal growth, seeking to dominate your life in an unhealthy manner.
Love, they say, can be blind, and that’s precisely why it’s best to stay aware before falling head over heels.
Because once you’re in love, you may find yourself making excuses for these detrimental habits.
So, let’s talk about the early warning signs of a controlling boyfriend because it’s better to be informed before things spiral out of control.
Let’s get started.
7 Early Signs Of A Controlling Boyfriend
1. He is monitoring your every move
Is he the kind of guy who doesn’t want you to spread your wings and be your person?
He wants to be the boss of your life, which is definitely not cool.
He is someone trying to put you in a cage and who wants to hold the keys.
They don’t want you to hang out with your friends or do things on your own.
Their body language is that you are theirs, and they are in charge of how you live.
See, we know love can sometimes make you wear those rose-colored glasses.
You might start finding excuses for his behavior, that he’s just overprotective because he loves you.
But deep down, you’re missing out on your own life and freedom.
You need to wake up.
2. His jealousy is overbearing
Does your boyfriend get jealous and suspicious all the time?
A little bit of jealousy is normal, but when it turns into a full-time job for your partner to keep tabs on you, it’s not great.
You’re out with your friends or doing your own thing, and your boyfriend is blowing up your phone with questions.
Asking where you are, who you are with, and what you are doing.
It’s like they’re a detective on your case 24/7.
Sometimes, they might even demand access to your phone or social media accounts, which is crossing a line.
It means they don’t trust you at all.
To simplify it, if his jealousy is getting out of control and making you feel like you’re always under suppression, it’s time to pay attention.
3. He is dictating what you should wear
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You might have picked out your outfit for the day, and you have decided what makes you feel great.
But your boyfriend’s got other ideas.
He’s like your personal fashion police, telling you what you can and can’t wear.
Maybe he’s constantly suggesting that you wear what he likes, even if it’s not your style at all.
He’s trying to turn you into his fashion clone.
And if you try to wear something he doesn’t approve of, he might make a big fuss about it.
It’s your wardrobe, isn’t it?
You should be able to wear what makes you feel confident and comfortable.
Your style is a part of who you are.
If someone’s trying to control that, it’s not cool.
When your boyfriend starts dictating your wardrobe and making you feel uncomfortable about your own fashion choices, it’s a sign of control.
Your style, your choice, don’t forget that.
4. He controls how you spend your money
Does your boyfriend want to take full control of your money?
He decides how it’s spent, when, and on what.
Maybe he limits your access to money, giving you only a small allowance or asking you for detailed explanations for every cent you spend.
He’s got a tight grip on your purse strings.
This kind of financial control would make you powerless and dependent, which isn’t how a healthy relationship should work.
You should both have a say in financial matters and be able to manage your money together.
When your boyfriend becomes the financial overlord and doesn’t let you have a say in money matters, he is a controlling boyfriend.
5. He abuses you verbally and emotionally
He constantly belittles you, mocks you, or puts you down in various ways.
He’s the king of sarcasm, and not in a good way.
He is making you feel like you’re not good enough or that everything you do is somehow wrong.
This is emotional abuse, and it’s not okay.
Sometimes, this kind of behavior can be crafty, like little jabs that erode your self-esteem over time.
You start doubting yourself and feeling like you can’t do anything right.
If your boyfriend is constantly using words to hurt you, it’s a sign of control and emotional abuse; steer clear.
6. He guilt trips and manipulates you
If he is a pro at using guilt trips to get his way.
He is a master manipulator.
Whenever you try to assert your own opinions or make decisions for yourself, he makes you feel like you’re the bad guy.
He might tell you if you loved him, you’d do this for him or that you are being so selfish for wanting some space.
He tries to twist your feelings and make you feel guilty for simply being yourself.
This kind of manipulation can be emotionally exhausting and can lead you to do things you don’t want to do, just to avoid feeling guilty or selfish.
Guilt trips and manipulation tactics are not a healthy way to handle a relationship.
7. He requires a constant need for reassurance
This guy needs you to constantly tell him that you love him and won’t leave him.
He fishes for compliments and reassurance 24/7.
You have to constantly prove your love and commitment.
There’s a never-ending need for validation, and it’s all on you to provide it.
This kind of behavior often leads to a cycle of emotional dependency, where you feel like you can’t do anything without reassuring him first.
He is insecure about the relationship and needs you to fill that void.
That right there is a red flag of a controlling boyfriend.
Wrapping this up…
What we’ve been talking about here are the early signs of a controlling boyfriend.
It is very important for you to be aware of these signs because they can affect your happiness and well-being in a relationship.
Love would sometimes impair your vision, making you see things differently.
You might start making excuses for your boyfriend’s behavior, thinking his bad behaviors are signs he cares about you.
But you deserve to be in a relationship where you can be you without any restrictions.
That’s why we bring you this so that you can be informed.
Recognize these early signs of control before things get way out of control.
Don’t wait until you get trapped or suffocated.
Keep your eyes and mind open.
Your happiness is worth it.