When does one end a relationship?

The scenario goes more or less as follows.

Before a relationship begins, and even when its in its initial phases, we really don’t know much about our love interest.

But we tend to see them in the best light, or in light of what we hope or imagine them to be.

Then, a few red flags develop. We notice that their values are not in synch with ours, or they are NOT who we thought they were, or they have more serious problems, like a raging temper or addictions, too much baggage, or other problems.

Still, we may rationalize that no one is perfect, or that we have to take the lumps with the good. Or, perhaps by now, we are dependent on them or they on us in some ways, or we have simply poured too much of our lives in this relationship and leaving would be hard for multiple reasons..

Then, in good times, maybe we discover the good is worth it. That they ARE worth the bad times, and things might get better if we stick it out. Maybe we could work on it and things would turn out right. If its right to begin with, maybe so.

But we start to discover that maybe this is NOT the person we want to spend the rest of our lives with. Getting out is extremely hard, for emotional and maybe financial reasons, but maybe it could be much worse if the relationship continues.

Where are the checks and balances, when should we try harder, and when do we know this is the wrong path? How can we find the courage to get out, without regrets?