Stephanie’s Adventures in Singledom: Toxic Relationships

BY STEPHANIE DOLCE

Toxic Relationships: Signs when you should bail and get out of a relationship

The best outcomes have always started from a place of honesty. Is a breakup always clean cut? Nope. Sometimes it is full of crying, a possible fist fight, broken dishes, a lawsuit bluff, shattered hearts in millions of pieces and some serious soul searching. And that is exactly the outcome of finding yourself in a toxic relationship, as I have come to known over the years. Many, many people not only are in toxic relationships, but they sadly stay in these unhealthy relationships way too long, in fear that this is “all there is” or that, “I can change him/her,” But what we forget is that we aren’t meant to be sucking up other people’s energy, or vice versa. So, how do I know if I am in a toxic relationship now?

Here are 5 signs when it is time to cut the cord and free yourself from the chains of a toxic relationship:

1. Your partner is constantly putting you down.

Everything you do is wrong! Your partner constantly gives back negative feedback and never has anything positive to say. They mock you in public. They mock every little quirk you have. And they seem to make you feel bad about who are truly are.

2. Everything is about them and never about you.

You are always doing what they want to do, it’s never 50-50. You’re unable to have a two-sided conversation and they seem to always have to get in the last word.

3.Your parnter is holding the relationship hostage

Everytime you want to express your feelings and get out, they manipulate you into staying.

4. You’re uncomfortable being yourself around that person.

You have to put on a different face just to be accepted by that person. When you can’t be who you truly are and pretend to be someone else, just to please them, it’s a sign to move on, and move on quick. When love is real, it doesn’t lie, cheat, pretend, hurt you, make you feel unwanted or keep secrets.

5. You are starting to feel worthless.

You are a prisoner of the limitations you impose upon yourself. Trust your truth, your instincts. Do not allow yourself to be swayed by games, manipulating, or people with agendas. When you learn how much you’re worth, you’ll stop giving people discounts. Understand your own worth. Know the difference between what you’re getting and what you deserve.

Sometimes you have to photoshop your life. Touch up edges, adjust the tones, blur the background, focus on yourself & crop some people out. Every moment in time gives us the chance to love, to learn, to dream & to become more than we ever imagined.