A toxic relationship is one that is marked by behaviors that are emotionally and/or physically damaging. This can include things like verbal and emotional abuse, manipulation, controlling behavior, and physical violence.
Toxic relationships feel like:
1. You’re constantly walking on eggshells.
This feels awful.
When you constantly feel like you’re being judged, criticized and are expected to meet someone else’s unrealistic expectations, it takes a toll on your self-esteem.
When you don’t feel good about yourself, it’s easy to get caught up in the cyclical pattern of a toxic relationship.
2. You’re always worried about what might set your partner off.
The emotional turmoil of wondering what mood your partner will be in when you get home, or how s/he will respond to something you might say or do, can be a huge burden.
It’s not only exhausting, but it keeps you on edge constantly.
It’s not only exhausting, but it keeps you on edge constantly.
3. You’re always trying to please your partner, even if it means sacrificing your own needs.
It’s common for people who are in unhealthy and toxic relationships to ignore or discount their own needs.
In order to stay in the relationship, they often give up activities and interests they once felt passionate about, and they may even find themselves isolating from family and friends.
In order to stay in the relationship, they often give up activities and interests they once felt passionate about, and they may even find themselves isolating from family and friends.
4. Your partner is always putting you down, making you feel bad about yourself.
Maybe he or she accuses you of being too sensitive or having no sense of humor.
Maybe you’re constantly being criticized.
This is so damaging to the relationship because by tearing you down, your partner is effectively taking control and making you feel inferior, which makes your partner feel superior.
Maybe you’re constantly being criticized.
This is so damaging to the relationship because by tearing you down, your partner is effectively taking control and making you feel inferior, which makes your partner feel superior.
5. Your partner is physically abusive.
Physical abuse can cause severe bodily injury, disability and even death, yet most people are unable to recognize when the line between acceptable behavior and abuse has been crossed.
Physical abuse can be as subtle as a push or a shove (which is often underestimated as not being harmful) to a full-fledged beating that leaves you black and blue.
Physical abuse can be as subtle as a push or a shove (which is often underestimated as not being harmful) to a full-fledged beating that leaves you black and blue.
The Takeaway
If you recognize yourself in the descriptions above, you’re probably in a relationship with a toxic person.
There’s nothing more damaging to your confidence and self-esteem than being in a toxic relationship with someone who doesn’t respect you and constantly makes you feel bad about yourself.
If you don’t get out of an unhealthy relationship, it will continue to get worse and can lead to things like depression, anxiety and even physical harm.
In order to get out of this situation, you have to put yourself first by loving and caring for yourself and your needs.
It won’t be easy, but it’s the only way to get your life back on track.
There’s nothing more damaging to your confidence and self-esteem than being in a toxic relationship with someone who doesn’t respect you and constantly makes you feel bad about yourself.
If you don’t get out of an unhealthy relationship, it will continue to get worse and can lead to things like depression, anxiety and even physical harm.
In order to get out of this situation, you have to put yourself first by loving and caring for yourself and your needs.
It won’t be easy, but it’s the only way to get your life back on track.
