Relationships mean a great deal in our lives. They can bring us joy and comforting company. Not all relationships are healthy. Some drain your energy, lower your self-esteem, and make you feel unhappy. These are toxic relationships. Being able to recognize and avoid toxic relationships is vital to maintaining your emotional well-being.
Here, we will take a closer look at what comprises a toxic relationship, what to watch out for, and practical steps in safeguarding against such a potential harmful connection.
Toxic Relationships: What is it?
A toxic relationship is one in which the emotional, mental, or physical health of either person or both persons is compromised. These relationships have elements of manipulation and control with very little mutual respect. In a healthy relationship, the two individuals feel supported and valued by each other. In a toxic relationship, negativity and arguing are seen as normal.
Signs of a Toxic Relationship
How to identify a toxic relationship is the first step in avoiding it. Following are some of the signs that will help you identify whether you are in a toxic relationship or not.
1. Constant Criticism
One of the most common forms of criticism in a toxic relationship is to keep you under control or belittle you. Other than constructive criticism, the criticism you get actually intends to undermine your confidence. This consistent negativity will develop self-doubt and anxiety.
2. Lack of Trust
Any good relationship is one that is based on trust. In a toxic relationship, this trust may not exist. Your partner might keep accusing you of lying about nothing tangible. Lack of trust in this regard makes you always anxious and uncomfortable to talk your mind out.
3. Manipulation and Control
Control is normally maintained through various manipulative means where toxic individuals attempt to use feelings of guilt, fear, and even love against an individual to make them do something. This can give one a trapped feeling with no say whatsoever in the relationship.
4. Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuses are common in toxic relationships. These may include insults, humiliation, and other intentional acts that make you feel less of a person. In due time, emotional abuse will degrade your self-esteem and your mental health.
5. Isolation
The toxic partner may also wish to alienate you from friends and family. They will encourage you not to see them anymore or might even criticize them for creating a reason for disconnection. Isolation makes it easier on the toxic person because you grow to depend on them to get emotional nourishment.
How to Steer Clear of Toxic Relationships?
Knowing the signs of a toxic relationship is one thing; knowing how to stay away from it is another. Some ways you can avoid toxic relationships include the following:
1. Set Your Boundaries
Setting boundaries in any relationship is important. Boundaries protect one’s emotional and mental wellbeing. Make sure your partner respects your limits and is willing to respect your needs. Continuously crossing boundaries may be a sign of toxicity.
2. Prioritize Self-Care
Take care of yourself at all times, always doing things that make you happy, release tension, or generally calm you down. Being stable in your mind allows you to better assess toxic relationships and avoid them.
3. Trust Your Gut
Your intuition is one of the strongest tools. When something in your relationship doesn’t feel quite right, it may be because instinctively, something inside you screams that something is wrong. Do not ignore warning signs, and do not neglect any nagging feelings. Sometimes, your instincts can catch the toxicity well before your mind entirely does.
4. Communicate Openly
Open communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship. Share with them your feelings and concerns; if they dismiss your feelings or react adversarial to them, beware. A positive partner listens and works with you to overcome challenges.
5. Surround Yourself with Positive People
Having a support system is critical in the prevention of toxic relationships. Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you and who regard you with respect. The more good and positive relationships you are in, the more these will serve to keep your feet on the ground and remind you of your self-worth.
How to Leave a Toxic Relationship?
If you are in a toxic relationship, the best thing you can do for yourself is to leave. But it’s hard to leave, especially when you feel manipulated or controlled. Here is a step that you could take to break free:
1. Seek Support
Reach out to your support system, consisting of close friends and family members or your therapist. Sometimes, this gives you the ability to talk to someone and often gives people strength and a clear vision to leave the relationship.
2. Plan an Escape
If you are in a toxic relationship, plan your escape. Make sure you have somewhere safe to go and the financial means to support yourself. If necessary, seek legal advice or protection.
3. Eliminate Contact
Once the relationship is finally over, break contact with this toxic individual. This can keep you from getting pulled back into the manipulative and controlling cycle. Block their number, block them on social media; that distance helps you heal.
4. Healing
Breaking up with a toxic relationship is emotionally exhausting. Give it time to heal. Invest in self-care, therapy, and rebuilding life. Healing is always a process, but eventually you will regain your strength and happiness over time.
Conclusion
Toxic relationships can be the most impactful on a person’s life, but they don’t have to define your future. You can learn how to identify the signs of toxicity and how to set up healthy boundaries and prioritize yourself in order to avoid toxic relationships. Keep in mind that you really deserve to be in those relationships that bring joy, support, and love. Never settle for less.
