Sometimes sweet people end up in unhealthy relationships. You’re far from being the first person in this predicament and you most definitely won’t be the last. If you find yourself questioning whether or not your relationship is toxic, consider these six warning signs.
1. You’re always walking on eggshells
You should not feel like you need to tiptoe around your partner’s ego just to keep the peace between you. Your relationship should be a free space to express your feelings and concerns without the fear of major backlash. If you can’t come to them with the little things, what will happen when big things come up and threaten to rock the boat? Feeling safe to tell your partner when they have upset or hurt you is incredibly important. When you bottle things up to avoid a fight, you end up just building a wall of resentment that will eat away at you.
2. They isolate you from friends and family
Your partner should respect your right to have friendships outside of the relationship. If they forcibly stop you from communicating or visiting your friends and family, that is a huge red flag. They may isolate you from others in an attempt to make you solely dependent on them. This can create problems for you, especially when the relationship goes south. The fear of not having anyone else to turn to can keep someone tied to an unhealthy relationship much longer. It’s only natural to want friendships aside from your partner, in fact, it’s an extremely important part of any rock-solid relationship.
3. Every disagreement becomes a meltdown
When problems arise, does your partner discuss things calmly? Or do they instantly go into meltdown mode? Showing a big, theatrical reaction to issues in the relationship is a sign that they are not in control of their actions or emotions. This can be concerning because when someone reacts quickly and negatively in that way, it can lead to other forms of abuse. You want to make sure you are in a relationship where problems can be sorted out in a reasonable and respectful way.
4. They are always pointing out your flaws
The person you are in love with should be your biggest supporter, not the person who tears you down. They shouldn’t be insulting you, bringing up past mistakes or always trying to make you feel bad about yourself. Your self-esteem can be greatly affected if you are constantly around someone who likes to point out your faults.
5. It’s always about them
Does your partner seem uninterested in conversations unless they are the main subject? Do they turn every discussion around and make it about themselves somehow? A toxic partner will have an overly inflated sense of self-importance. This can be tough on the relationship because their needs will always trump yours. It is absolutely necessary for both partners to be interested in each other and focus on more than just their own accomplishments. You are bound to feel down in a relationship if your partner is always proud of themselves, but never proud of you.
6. You are left feeling drained and lonely
The stress of a toxic relationship can take a big toll on your mental health. At the end of a long, stressful day, you want to be able to go to your partner and feel relieved. In an unhealthy relationship though, you will likely feel emotionally drained and stressed out at home as well. This can make you feel incredibly lonely even when your partner is physically near you.
If you find that you are in a toxic relationship, try your best to not blame yourself. At the beginning, we feel all the sparks and butterflies that make it easy to look past the red flags. Always remember that you have the power to move on and find happiness elsewhere, even if that means just being by yourself. After all, being alone is better than being with someone who drains your spirit and makes you feel bad about yourself.
Don’t be afraid to be your own advocate and make room for healthy relationships in your life that will help you thrive rather than hold you back. Your happiness and mental health are worth far more than anything you will have to leave behind.
