THESE ARE THE SEVEN SIGNS YOU ARE IN A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP
Relationships: The Good, bad, and…
What is the difference between a good and bad relationship? Search no more. These are the seven signs you will need, to know the answer
What is the difference between a good and bad relationship? This is a very important question. To answer it, let’s start by defining what is a good relationship: In my humble opinion, a good relationship is one in which both parties are able to trust each other with anything.
A good relationship is one in which each person is able to connect to the other, share a mutual respect and have fun together. A good relationship is one in which each person is able to be his or herself.
A good, healthy relationship is one in which both parties accept each other for who you are; being there for one another through thick and thin, no mater what. This — to me at least — are the most important ingredients that make a good, healthy relationship.
Bad relationships, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. In a bad, unhealthy relationship, one, or both parties tend to like to do things like:
- Guilt Tripping
- Lying
- Having feelings for other people
- Not trusting your significant other
- Being rude towards each other
- Physical/emotional abuse
- Peer pressure
Breaking it down
Guilt tripping: What is guilt tripping? Guilt tripping is where one person — using guilt — gets the other person to do something for them. An example would be something like, “...you say you love me, but you don’t. If you really loved me, you would do [whatever they want you to do for them]…”.
Guilt tripping is never a good thing in any relationship. It’s wrong to abuse your partner’s love and trust to get what you want; besides, sooner or later they will figure out what you are doing and leave you.
Lying: What is lying? Lying is where one person tells the other something they know is not true. An example would be telling you that they didn’t cheat on you when they clearly did; or even worse, telling you that you are the only one they have feelings for, when in fact you are one of many.
Lying is very toxic to a relationship. Regardless of the size of the lie, once the seed of mistrust is planted, it will grow with each additional lie — Lies can be said in many different ways as well; but big or small, they have the same effect: They make you lose trust in your partner; and in a relationship, trust is a VERY BIG factor.
Having feelings for other people: What does it mean when one person says they have feelings for other people? When your significant other tells you they have feelings for other people, it means — quite specifically — that they have lost interest in you — It is over.
Love — within the context of a serious relationship between two people — is not something that should be shared with more than your significant other. Love is something you are in — and work on — with ONLY one person.
Not trusting your significant other: What does it mean when you can’t trust your significant other? When you can’t trust your significant other, most likely it is because they have lied to you about things and you simply can’t trust them anymore.
Like I’ve said before, trust is a VERY important factor in a relationship. If you can’t trust your partner, there is something going on between the two of you that needs to be dealt with — regardless of how uncomfortable it may be.
Being rude towards each other: What does it mean when your significant other is being rude to you? During the course of a relationship, there are times that you and your significant other can be rude to one another. People are people and sometimes there is friction.
This is normal, so long as it is not a recurring theme and the guilty party apologizes soon after. However, if there are no apologies, the rudeness is a constant in your relationship; and you or your partner are always unhappy, then that is a start of a toxic relationship.
Remember: A healthy relationship is one where you feel loved and happy, instead of unworthy, unwanted and unloved.
Physical/emotional abuse: What does it mean when you’re being physically/mentally abused in a relationship? As I mentioned in my previous article (What Is Emotional And Physical Abuse?) physical and/or mental abuse are not OK. NOT under ANY circumstance and nobody deserves it!
It doesn’t matter if it is your family, friends or — and specially — your significant other. If you are being physically or mentally abused you need to get out and away from that relationship, and get help as soon as possible(Click or tap this link to find help).
Peer pressure: What is peer pressure? Peer pressure is when family, friends, or your significant other pressure you into doing something for them when you don’t want to.
In the case of your significant other, and example of this is pressuring you to have sex with them when you do not want to — be it because you are not ready, or any other reason.
In the particular case of being pressured to engage in sexual intercourse when you don’t want to; you have to stand your ground. Your body belongs to you and ONLY YOU can decide when, how and with whom to share it.
Peer pressuring — be it the case illustrated above, or under any circumstances — is not a good thing, and it is the most clear example yet that you are in a toxic relationship.
If you recognize any of these signs, or are experiencing any of these things, you need to be watching out for these toxic elements in relationship. Do not be fooled, it can happen to anybody; so if you think you are in a toxic relationship or you are in trouble, please go and get the help you need right away.
The links below are for the province of Alberta, Canada. Every province, state or country in the world has similar agencies and organizations. If you don’t know the number for these agencies in your area, the numbers below will help you. Please call them and they will guide you to safety.
Hope you’re all good. Stay safe, please♥️
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence or abuse:
- Alberta provincial abuse helpline: 1–855–4HELPAB (1–855–443–5722) for assistance in more than 100 languages from 7:30 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday
- Child Abuse Hotline: 1–800–387-KIDS (5437) for help 24/7
- Mental Health Helpline: 1–877–303–2642 for mental health advice 24/7
- HealthLink: Call 811 to find health care and get health advice 24/7
- Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence if you need help finding sexual assault support services (9 am — 9 pm daily) :
- Call 1–866–403–8000 (215+ languages)
- Text 1–866–403–8000 (English)
- Chat online (English)
The painting on top was the first time I ever used abstract shapes. I used these colors so that I’d have some bright and dark colors. It was made with green, white, black, yellow, orange, purple, and blue acrylic paint. It is 12 by 9 inches
