Friendships and relationships are usually incredibly rewarding— until things go wrong and leave us in bad situations. Think about a relationship that you are currently in and take a moment to evaluate it using these signs of a toxic relationship.
- The relationship is one-sided
Is the effort being put into your relationship reciprocal? If you feel that your partner is taking advantage of all the sacrifices you are making to make the relationship work, you may be in a toxic relationship.
- Your partner or friend is lying to you
We all tell a little white lie every now and then, but if you find that your partner is constantly lying to you about things—especially big issues—you may want to consider the overall quality of the relationship. They may say that they are doing it to protect you from certain truths, they, in reality, just creates a lack of trust. This distrust negatively affects relationships and can continuously cause problems and stress. If you find yourself being hurt by lies and distrust in a relationship, consider that a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
- Lack of communication
One of the most crucial things to making a relationship work is constant and open communication. When this open communication begins to fail, there are a lot of problems that can occur, such as misunderstandings and unresolved conflicts. These issues, among others, can lead to more unnecessary conflicts. This newfound conflict and additional tension to a can make things go south quickly for both participants.
- Your partner or friend is constantly critical
It is important within a relationship to build each another up and to help your partner feel positively about himself/herself. One sign of a toxic relationship is when your partner or friend changes from constant positive affirmations to subtle criticisms. When you no longer feel that you are being validated, it may be a sing that your relationship has turned destructive. You should perhaps consider acknowledging that you are not in a healthy relationship.
- Your partner or friend is gossipy
There is always an established layer of trust within any form of relationship. One of the most damaging things to happen to a relationship is perhaps when this trust is broken. If your partner has had a hard time keeping your personal life to himself/herself, consider why they haven’t been respecting your privacy. A person you cannot trust to keep your personal information is perhaps a person with whom you might want to consider terminating a relationship.
If you believe that you are in a toxic relationship, get yourself out by communicating honestly. However, if you feel uncomfortable approaching this situation alone, confide in a trusted friend who you know will help you get the job done. Also, do not be afraid to seek out for professional help if the situation warrants it. After all, the first step to removing yourself from an unhealthy relationship is to acknowledge that you are in one.