Walking Away from a Toxic Relationship to Save Yourself

One of the greatest stressors in our lives is the toxic relationships that we keep. We want to clarify that while one of the first things that come to our minds when we talk about toxic relationships is the romantic kind, it is not limited to that.

For instance, if you’re in a rocky marriage and divorce is one of your options, typically counseling and divorce mediation can help restore the couple and make things better. Or maybe you’re in constant friction with your boss or one of your colleagues at work. This can usually be handled with a heart-to-heart talk and professional courtesy.

But perhaps you’re in a marriage that’s beyond repair. Or you may have nothing but animosity with your boss You may have that ultra-competitive sibling or that high-maintenance colleague. These all fall under the toxic category.

4 Ways to Remove Yourself from Toxic Relationships

Put an end to your denial.

As they say, the step to recovery always starts with admitting that you have a problem. Be honest with yourself and with how you feel towards this person that’s causing you so much pain and hurt over and over. You’ll only end up suffering more the longer you put up with it.

Take note of your feelings.

Sometimes, we push our negative feelings all the way to the back of our minds so we don’t think about it. However, this will only do you more harm in the long run.

Professionals recommend that you take note of all your feelings and list them down. If being around a certain person causes you to feel negative emotions almost always, then it’s probably time to go your separate ways.

Point out what the benefits are when you walk out of that toxic relationship.
When you invest emotionally in any relationship, it means you’re really looking forward to building a lasting relationship with that person. However, if it gets to the point that it is draining you emotionally, evaluate the relationship and see what benefits and perks you will get if you end it.

You will know that the relationship is toxic and worth dropping if the pros of moving on far outweigh the cons.

Take time to heal.

Whenever a person walks out of any toxic and abusive relationship, that person walks out of it exhausted, drained, wounded, and scarred. Getting out of it is similar to being freed from prison where one experiences a different kind of freedom. And once you’re liberated from your prison, healing can now start taking place.

The journey will take some time, depending on how deep the wounds are. But if you allow yourself to be healed completely, if you just trust the process, and let healing take its natural course, you will be back on your feet sooner than you know.

Getting into any relationship involves certain risks, including getting offended and hurt. While there’s no perfect relationship and that all of it will inevitably have a few bad days, some relational connections are just not meant to be. No matter how hard you try to work things out, if two people keep rubbing each other off in the wrong way, it is bound to be a failure.

If you’re in such a relationship, evaluate it and see if it’s worth saving or not. If the odds are stacked against you staying in an abusive and toxic relationship, it is best to get out of it for the sake of your own sanity.