8 Signs of a Toxic Relationship, and how to change it

Toxic relationships happen, but you don't have to let it continue.  Read on for more information…

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So many people think that the friends you have known the longest have to be nourished and important.  This is not necessarily true.  Sometimes, people travel down different paths and these paths put distance in the relationship.  The newest friendships can end up serving you with a greater purpose.  If a relationship is not inspiring you in some way, it may be time to reevaluate the need of the relationship and move on.  While it can be the hardest thing to do, ending a friendship, or any relationship, after years can end up being the best thing you can do for yourself.

Before we go any further, here are eight signs that a person is a toxic relationship.

1. They spread negativity.
2. They criticize you and others.
3. They are jealous.
4. They keep disappointing you.
5. Everything is always dramatic.
6. They play the victim.
7. They are self-centered.
8. They aren’t interested in changing.

If some, or multiple of these define some of your current relationships, it is probably time to move forward without that person.  You are in charge of how you react to situations, and you should take control and focus on what you think is most important in your life.  A toxic person should not be that.  

Something to remember is that the toxicity in the relationship is not caused by one or the other.  It is caused by the inability to effectively establish healthy boundaries, conversations, and communications. Usually, two people become friends because of a shared interest or perspective. A toxic relationship forms as people grow and these commonalities are suppressed. People who are toxic are rarely aware of their own toxicity. They are too self-absorbed and preoccupied with their own emotions, interests, needs, and goals to be aware of the needs, goals, interests, and emotions of others. 

How do we handle such a relationship?

A confrontation does not necessarily have to end the relationship.  If you decide that a person is toxic to you, you can simply just stop initiating conversations and hang out times with that person.  If the person notices and confronts you, then you should be honest with that person.  However, chances are that the toxic person won’t even notice, and you can move forward with living a positive, healthy lifestyle.

Remember, living positively and full of gratitude is associated with fighting depression, living longer, strengthens your immune system, helps fight sickness better, and helps you cope with stress and hardships.  Living negativity, or in a toxic relationship, will only push you down the opposite path and lead you to a life of darkness and sickness.

Shifting to a Positive Mindset

Once you get rid of a toxic person, you are on your way of becoming a better version of yourself.  Last week, I uploaded a posted called “Giving Thanks” and I outlined a few different ways of practicing gratitude in your daily life, as well as, a few different reasons as to why you should.  If you haven’t checked it out yet, you can do so by clicking here.  It will help you start living a better, healthier version of you!

Like I mentioned in my “Giving Thanks” post, I like to keep a daily log of gratitude.  This week, I am switching back to my bullet journal to customize what I keep track of even more.  I will start a monthly gratitude page where I will state one thing I am grateful for each day.  This was done in the past in my bullet journal, but on a weekly spread.  So, I am excited to see how this turns out as a monthly page, and how I can “craft-it-up” for 2018.  We are so close to a new year! It’s crazy!

 

Remember, we are in this together, so if there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know!

Megs