Be on the lookout for toxic people in your life. If you have a difficult relative or relationship, you need to know when to call it quits. In a recent article by Mark Goulston, he describes signs of toxic people. Take a moment to review this list to see if you need to remove either people or negative/toxic thoughts from yourself.
Here are some signs:
1) Seeing them makes you tense.
2) They’re mean to others, nice to you.
3) You fear them.
4) You worry they’ll embarrass you.
5) They’re easily upset and hard to please.
6) You no longer respect them.
7) You don’t look forward to seeing them.
8) Friends tell you to get away from them.
Essentially, if you have tried every avenue to let the offender know how you feel, it may be time to distance yourself. Very calmly tell the person exactly which behavior you cannot tolerate and say you need a break. Handling them in a gracious way shows you haven’t been infected with their toxicity. Don’t try channeling Clint Eastwood, things will only escalate.
Spend time with people you look forward to seeing, enjoy your time together and feel great after meeting up. These are the signs of a healthy, positive and fulfilling relationship.