We all grew up and were taught in different ways, which is why relationships aren’t easy. Be it your family, friends or special someone, if both of you have issues inside awaiting to be solved, sometimes a toxic relationship might develop out of this.

It’s not something we do intentionally, but it happens and it takes work to flip it around. We always hear people talking
about toxic romantic relationships, but this is something that applies to anyone. If it is just a romantic partner, you even have the choice of letting that person go, but when it happens with someone who matters more like a family member, you might want to work on turning that relationship into a healthy one.

1. Set boundaries

One of the things that defines toxic relationships is that people have no limits when it comes to interacting with you and you can also test if the relationship is toxic by putting up some limits. In a healthy relationship they will be respected without a problem, in a toxic one they will try to convince you that you are overreacting.

2. Don’t take things personally

When in an unhealthy relationship, the other person might do things due to their own fears and insecurities and that might trigger some feelings in you. But you need to always remember this: it is not your fault. We are all responsible for the way we feel, in toxic relationships the other person might play the victim and try to make you feel responsible for their feelings. But I am telling you, you are not.

3. Don’t play their game

The best way to make it out alive in a toxic situation is to not play their games. If they try to make you responsible for the way they feel, focus on yourself. If they act in a passive aggressive way, ignore them. If they try to belittle you in front of your friends, don’t take it seriously. When they see that this is not the way to do things, they will start changing their
approach.

4. Take space

Being in a toxic relationship drains you emotionally. A lot. If it’s a relationship you want to make work, you will need to identify when you feel tired and love yourself enough to take a break and focus on healing you. That’s not something selfish to do, it’s healthy and it means that you are your priority.

5. Be the light

If you are reading this, it means you realized there is a problem and you want to improve the situation, which means you want and are able to grow. That is the first step! When you have a toxic relationship, the other person in it tends to be negative. Don’t let that shut your light, instead, focus on being a light and motivation for them!