If you’ve had the misfortunate of falling into a relationship with a controlling, possessive, and critical partner, and then the strength to extricate yourself from that relationship (and it requires a lot of strength because those men don’t let go easily) then you know life is never quite the same again. You approach dating and new relationships with a lot of caution. You see interactions with potential partners through a new lens. When you’ve escaped the living hell that is a relationship with a controlling man, you never, ever want to go back. Many women would even say they were lucky to have the experience because it made them forever stronger. But, some women never get out of those situations so I wouldn’t advise going and tracking one down for the growing experience—you may never escape. Here is how life changes forever after having a controlling partner.
Your social life must be respected
You will not put up with a man who asks you to change plans you already had, in order to see him. You won’t accept anything less than a man who is happy you have a life outside of him and respects it.