Toxic relationships can be damaging to our mental and physical health, but they can also be difficult to recognize and let go of. If you’re unsure whether you’re in a toxic relationship, here are 12 steps to help you identify the signs and take the necessary steps to end it.
1. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re around the person in question. Do you feel drained, anxious, or stressed? Do you find yourself avoiding them or dreading the thought of seeing them? If so, it’s likely that you’re in a toxic relationship.
2. Watch out for red flags 🚩🚩🚩 such as constant criticism, manipulation, or controlling behavior. These behaviors can be signs of emotional abuse and should not be tolerated.
3. Notice if you feel like you have to constantly walk on eggshells around the other person. If you’re constantly worried about saying or doing the wrong thing or if the other person becomes angry or aggressive, this is a sign of emotional abuse.
4. Recognize if the other person is not respecting your boundaries. In a healthy relationship, both parties should respect each other’s boundaries and not try to control or manipulate the other person.
5. Understand that being in a toxic relationship can be damaging to your self-esteem and can even lead to depression or anxiety if not addressed.
6. Acknowledge that your mental and physical health is more important than any relationship.
7. Consider limiting your contact with the person in question in order to protect yourself.
8. Evaluate the type of relationship you have with the person. Is it a romantic relationship, a friendship, a family relationship, or a relationship with a colleague or supervisor?
9. Recognize that ending a toxic relationship can be difficult, especially if the other person is someone close to you.
10. Consider seeking the support of friends, family members, or a professional therapist who can help you navigate the process of ending the relationship.
11. Decide whether to end the relationship completely or to simply limit your contact with the person.
12. Take the necessary steps to end the relationship and prioritize your mental and physical health. Remember that it’s okay to walk away from a toxic relationship, and that doing so can be a powerful act of self-care.
Recognizing a toxic relationship can be difficult, but it is important to be aware of the signs so you can take steps to end the relationship. Pay attention to how you feel around that person, watch out for red flags such as manipulation or control, and be aware of any boundaries being crossed. If you believe you are in a toxic relationship, remember your mental and physical health is more important than any relationship. Take the necessary steps to end it.
Photos by @Kelly Sikkema
