How to Recognize Fake Love: Red Flags to Watch For (2 of 5)

Lack of Empathy

Empathy forms the foundation of a healthy and loving relationship. A partner who genuinely loves you will strive to understand your feelings and perspectives, offering support even when they don’t fully agree with you. On the other hand, fake love often reveals itself through a persistent lack of empathy. If your partner dismisses your emotions, invalidates your experiences, or fails to consider how their actions affect you, this can be a sign of emotional detachment or even a toxic dynamic. Genuine love means walking through life together, not turning a blind eye to each other’s struggles.

Excessive Self-Focus

Some of the keys to a successful relationship include mutual respect, compromise, and shared priorities. While everyone has their own needs and ambitions, a partner in a legitimate relationship will balance their desires with those of their significant other. Conversely, a partner consumed by self-focus may prioritize their wants while disregarding yours. This self-centered behavior can manifest in subtle ways, like always steering conversations back to themselves, or in more blatant patterns, such as ignoring your needs altogether. True love requires looking beyond oneself and valuing the relationship as a shared journey.