The Ultimate Toxic Relationship Test
For anyone wondering if it’s over.
Relationships are hard work. This may be the most misunderstood concept plaguing modern couples. While there is some kernel of truth in this statement, it can mislead us to our detriment.
What does it mean to “work hard” in a relationship? How can we know when we are putting effort into a worthwhile relationship or if we are keeping something alive that should have died long ago? And how can we tell the difference?
There are a ton of relationship catch-phrases and philosophies out there today. Gaslighting, love languages, attachment theory…I could go on. I have read about them all. And if you are reading this article, you probably have too. We are the autodidacts of all things relationship related. The self-taught experts, well-versed in the lingo and yet, no closer to an answer.
A toxic relationship. It sounds bad, right? Just the phrase conjures a vision of being involved with an evil person, constantly making your life a living hell. And you are the idiot who thinks this person is kind and benevolent while all your friends roll their eyes behind your back.
That could be the scene, but toxic is not typically as dramatic as all of that. As best I can tell from my research, the phrase originated in the 1995 book Toxic…
