The relationships we have can lead to unforgettable memories and new heights. However, if the toxic is a relationship one, you might suffer from new lows, which affects all aspects of your life whether you like it or not.
When you are trapped in a toxic relationship, your growth is stunted and reaching your full potential is nearly impossible. Grief, hurt and doubt are your friends. You know that it’s time to get out, but there are fears and what-if’s that hinder you from doing so. On another hand, you might have gotten out of a toxic relationship but now you’re picking up the pieces of your life, confused with moving on and letting go.
Toxic relationships do no person well, but getting out and/or moving on from it isn’t always an easy path. You think you love this person, but you’re suffering.
If you’re in one or moving on from one, you’re not alone.
This article isn’t just about toxic relationship quotes (we’ll get to that later!); it discusses the signs of a toxic relationship and how you can leave one.
What are the Signs of a Toxic Relationship?
According to one of the most popular quotes on toxic relationships, “A bad relationship is like standing on broken glass, if you stay, you’ll keep hurting. If you walk away, you will hurt but eventually, you will heal.”
In a toxic relationship, you consistently feel unhappy or drained. You dread seeing them, you always argue over the littlest things and you want to get away from them. Despite all of these, there are some people who still choose to stay in a toxic relationship because they don’t know how toxic it is.
Depending on the nature of your relationship, the signs of toxicity can either be highly obvious or subtle. When you’re in a toxic relationship, you may not notice the red flags at all. All the same, you may notice the following signs in yourself, your partner or the entire relationship.
Toxic Communication
Instead of conversations rich in love and mutual respect, most of your discussions are filled with criticism or sarcasm and fueled by contempt. Are you always making snide remarks about your significant other?
Maybe you even dodge their calls so you won’t have to talk to them. When you refuse to have a conversation or always end up in arguments, it’s a clear sign of toxicity in a relationship.
Lack of Support
When the time you spend with each other no longer feels positive, every achievement might become a competition. As a result, you don’t always feel encouraged or supported, and you can’t trust your partner to show up for you.
Resentment
Holding on to grudges compromises your intimacy with your spouse. Over time, resentment or frustration can build up and widen the gap between you and your significant other.
Resentment also happens when you nurse your grievances quietly because you don’t trust your partner to listen to your concerns.
Controlling Behaviors
Does your partner demand to know where you are at all times? Do they become irritated or annoyed when you don’t immediately text back? These controlling behaviors might stem from a lack of trust and a need for control.
Patterns of Disrespect
Casually “forgetting” events, being late frequently and other behaviors that exhibit disrespect are big red flags. Keep in mind that some people struggle with keeping track of their plans, so a conversation with them might settle some issues.
If it’s not intentional, you might notice some improvement with your partner. If not, you’re in a toxic relationship.
Wisdom from Toxic Relationship Quotes
No matter how long or short term a toxic relationship is, know that you have the power to break free.
Here are some words of wisdom that will inspire you to break free from your toxic relationships.
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” ― Herman Hesse
Some people already know that their relationship is a toxic one, and yet they choose to stay. One of the common reasons people stay is because they think their relationship struggles is yet another hurdle that will strengthen them and their significant other. After all, don’t trials build better versions of ourselves?
Although trials do refine our weaknesses, there are cases when not letting go will make us weaker. If the relationship is too abusive or if you always doubt yourself, it’s best to let go. Think of it this way: would you continue holding on to a hot pan, thinking it would improve your grip? Nope; you let it go so you won’t get burned.
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” ― Steve Jobs
Time is short. You never know what tomorrow’s going to bring. With that in mind, it’s time you live your life to the full.
However, this will be an impossible task if you’re tied to an unhealthy relationship. If you live most of your days trying to make a dying relationship work, you’ll exhaust yourself; at the same time, you’ll miss out on the best days of your life. So, why not cut the relationship now, be in pain for a while and eventually live your life in the best way possible later?
“You don’t let go of a bad relationship because you stop caring about them. You let go because you start caring about yourself.” ― Charles Orlando
In our lives, people come and go. In relationships, not all of them end because of hate. Sometimes, they end because no one benefits from it and you need to respect yourself.
If you have a long-term relationship, letting go of your partner might seem impossible. You’ve lived most of your life with them. Without them, you don’t know who you are. However, their presence is hurting you emotionally. As a result, you still hold on even though you’re hurting.
When you let your partner go, it doesn’t always mean you hate them. You’re just giving yourself the extra love you withheld for a long time.
“You are not a rehab. It’s not your job to fix everyone.” ― Anonymous
Some people stay in relationships because they think they can fix the other person. Here’s some unfortunate news: you’re not a fixer or a rehab center. You can’t change a person who refuses to be changed or fixed. If you keep trying to fix them and they refuse, you’ll continuously exhaust yourself.
Instead of trying to fix the unfixable, cut yourself some slack and move on.
Know Your Worth: I Deserve Better Quotes
When walking away from a relationship, you might experience self-doubt. Some people run back to their toxic relationships, thinking that they can’t do better than that. This is a lie.
You can always do better; you always deserve better. If you’re struggling, embrace your self-worth with these “I Deserve Better” quotes.
“Sometimes, you have to forget what you feel to remember what you deserve.” ― Unknown
Some people are hanging on to the feelings of the relationship. They feel obligated to stay; they feel empty when the other person isn’t around. However, feelings change. They can also hinder you from understanding what you truly deserve. Instead of hanging on to feelings, take a step back and see the world minus the cloud of feelings. You’ll know you deserve better.
“The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for.” ― Maureen Dowd
Never settle. If you settle, you’ll think this is good enough for you. But when you’re deep into the relationship, you’ll realize that this is barely even enough for you. When you settle down, you’re not getting the best of any world. You’re just suffering endlessly, thinking that is what you deserve. It’s not.
“You deserve peace, love, happiness and all that your heart desires. Don’t let anyone control your life and take away those things.” ― Sonya Parker
A controlling person has no right to have every say in your life. It’s not their life; it’s yours. Don’t let them take away your life from you.
A toxic relationship can suck the life out of the happiest person in the world. Instead of thinking that you deserve this, change your perspective.
Don’t be a walking meme of toxic relationships. Instead, take heart, heed the advice of the toxic relationship quotes above and live the best version of your life — even if you have to heal for a while.
