A toxic relationship has the power to control your emotions and make you feel extreme highs and extreme lows. It often happens when one or both parties show signs of manipulative behaviour, which may stem from previous experiences, past relationships or trauma. If the below signs resonate with you, it might be time to consider your options:
1. Everything is about them
Toxic people have a way of making everything about them and like to be in control of every decision, no matter how small it is. They might pretend to care about your feelings and opinions but will always end up putting themselves first.
2. They are jealous or controlling
Does your partner constantly check your phone or get suspicious when you’re out with other people? If you’re starting to feel like they don’t trust you, they probably don’t. Jealous and controlling behaviour isn’t just toxic, it’s abusive. This behaviour is often a result of their own insecurities.
3. You feel exhausted or drained after spending time with them
Spending time with someone special in your life should make you feel energised, not drained. A toxic person can make you feel emotionally exhausted after spending time with them as you feel like you’re the one constantly giving and making the effort, without getting anything in return.
4. They don’t respect your boundaries
Feel like you’re starting a fight every time you say ‘no’? It’s common for toxic personalities to constantly push and overstep boundaries, leaving you with an overwhelming sense of self-doubt and frustration. You might find yourself questioning your strength, values and self-worth.
5. They isolate you from friends and family
In the initial stages of a relationship, you might find it sweet or endearing that someone wants to spend so much time with you. Overtime, this can quickly escalate to possessiveness, causing you to spend less time with friends and family, and eventually feel isolated and lonely.
6. They are manipulative, expecting you to always do what they want
Manipulative behaviour can often be hard to pinpoint, as it’s often carried out in subtle ways that make you feel like you’re the person in the wrong. This behaviour plays with your emotions as it’s usually brought upon by guilt-trips. 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
Feel like there’s no escape? Leaving is easier said than done and can often cause more grief and heartache than staying in a toxic relationship. Despite this, try to remember that there’s always a way out, even in the most toxic relationships.
A Toxic Relationship
