Relationships can be challenging. A relationship may start out totally healthy, but over time, unhealthy habits may start to occur, changing the dynamic of the relationship. Such toxic relationship can negatively affect every aspect of your life: your business, your physical health, and your mental stability.
What is a toxic relationship?
A toxic relationship is able to control your emotions and makes you feel extreme highs and lows. It often happens when one or both parties show signs of manipulative behavior due to past relationships or trauma. It can happen easily and quickly, and to the strongest people.
The signs of a toxic relationship
1. Everything is about them
Can you choose what movie to watch or where to go for dinner in this relationship? Or you are afraid to say “no?” Toxic people want to be in control of every decision, no matter how small it is. They may pretend to care about your feelings, but it turns out that you can never make simple choices yourselves.
2. They are jealous or controlling
Does your partner constantly go through your receipts, phone bills and text messages? Does he or she get suspicious when you're out with other people? If so, these mean your partner do not trust you. Everybody deserves trust and some level of privacy.
3. You feel exhausted or drained
When spending time with a toxic person, you may feel emotionally exhausted. You may feel like all the work, love and compromise come from you. Stop. Just stop doing so. You’ve already done enough.
4. They don't respect your boundaries
Toxic person may constantly push and overstep boundaries, leaving you with an overwhelming sense of self-doubt and frustration. Due to this behavior, you might find yourself questioning your strength, values and self-worth.
5. They isolate you from friends and family
If your partner discourages you from seeing those close to you, that's a major red flag. In the initial stages, you might find it sweet that someone wants to spend so much time with you. But overtime, this can isolate you from your friends and family.
6. They are manipulative, expecting you to always do what they want
Manipulative behavior plays with your emotions and makes you feel guilty. A toxic person will dismiss your opinions and feelings to ultimately get you to do what they want, making you out to be the bad person.
7. You feel trapped in the relationship
Feeling like you are trapped? Finding it difficult to escape can cause more grief and heartache than staying in a toxic relationship. But don’t give up, try to remember that there's always a way out, even in the most toxic relationships.
I think I might be in a toxic relationship. What now?
Some people might not realize that their actions are hurting you, so try telling the other person how you are feeling and how their behavior is affecting you by using 'I feel…' statements. If this is not useful, it’s time to leave and work to be a better individual. Always remember to love yourself!
