Relationships require work, commitment, and mutual respect to be mutually fulfilling and satisfying to both parties. If the individuals involved are emotionally stable and relatively healthy, this type of relationship is quite possible. However, there are relationships where the dynamic is unbalanced and one partner does more of the "giving" while the other does more "taking." In these cases, one partner may have a consuming personal issue like addiction or an abusive personality that causes bad behavior, and the other partner may tolerate destructive actions, thereby enabling the bad behavior to continue. Having loose or absent "boundaries," or lines in the sand on what can be tolerated is often a problem in these types of relationships. Here are 4 signs you might be too tolerant in your relationship:
1. You might deny or rationalize your partner's bad behavior to yourself. Denial is a powerful tool we often use to maintain a status quo that is unhealthy for us. You might be looking at other, more extreme situations and saying, "Well, at least he or she doesn't do THAT." Unfortunately, comparing two negative things doesn't make your partner's actions any less damaging or acceptable.
2. You might hide, conceal, or make excuses about your partner's behavior to others. You might feel compelled to protect your partner's reputation, but also your own. Often there is shame involved in admitting what you are putting up with to others. You might find yourself trying to cover for your partner if he or she shirks responsibility. This does not help either you or your partner, as your partner learns quickly that you will bail him or her out and you start getting resentful over being taken advantage of.
3. You might feel as if you can't possibly survive without this person in your life. Any relationship may feel more comfortable than none, so you may drop controversial topics for fear of rocking the boat. You may also let go of ultimatums and fail to follow through.
4. You might also believe that you are responsible for your partner's ultimate well being, and that he or she cannot possibly go on without you there to rescue and care for him or her. You may feel a strong sense of guilt over what your partner might do if you aren't there, and this creates a feeling of obligation to stay.
By the way, what is holding you back from making the best choices to achieve the life you deserve?
For a free copy of my ebook, "Strategies For Escaping Emotional Abuse", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-strategiesforescapingemotionalabuse.html
Shannon Cook is a personal coach and resource guide who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and "difficult" divorces, including the physical, emotional, practical and relationship components.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_E_Cook http://EzineArticles.com/?Overtolerance-in-Relationships---4-Signs-You-Might-Be-Tolerant-of-Too-Much-in-Your-Relationship&id=2099287
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Showing posts with label Toxic Relationship Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toxic Relationship Tips. Show all posts
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
How can You Tell If You Are In A Toxic Relationship
How can you tell if you are in a toxic relationship? Here are some clues:
· Your partner puts you down (verbally) in front of others
· While your partner says they love you, their actions don’t back it up.
· Your partner is controlling – reading your mail or “showing up” at places you are just to “check up” on you.
· Your partner tries to make you dependent on them.
· You have changed things about yourself to please them.
Toxic people make you feel ill just being around them. So, why would anyone end up in a toxic relationship? Why would anyone want to be with someone who makes them feel emotionally or physically harmed?
A toxic relationship has a cycle. There’s a honeymoon period, followed by a blow up, followed by a reconciliation – at which point the cycle begins anew.
When you first meet a new partner, you are obviously in the honeymoon stage. It is not until they’ve sucked you in further that you realize that you are in a toxic relationship. At that point, it is difficult to get out.
One reason is that many people in toxic relationships grow up in toxic homes. As a result, they replicate the patterns of their childhood without even knowing they’re doing it. And, they may not know any better. Others believe they do not deserve happiness. Still others find that they enjoy taking care of people.
But the first step in getting out and staying out of toxic relationships is to realize that you do have choices. Often people who stay in these couples have low self esteem or suffer from depression.
Once you realize that you have choices, the next step is to start standing up for yourself. In most toxic relationships, the toxic partner has taught you that it is all your fault. Once you buy into this, it can be very difficult to either walk away from the relationship or set new limits that can heal the relationship.
For some people, working in therapy groups can help them either get out of or redefine these horrible relationships.
The good news is that some people are able to break the cycles of toxic relationships. Some of them leave the relationship and form new, healthier bonds.
But others are actually able to repair their relationship and stay in it.
The truth is that most relationships are able to be salvaged. Sometimes it takes a little space. Other times, it takes counseling. But if both partners make an attempt, it is possible to renew the bonds in a healthy way.
The first thing you need to decide is that the relationship must improve or you’re willing to walk away. If you aren’t willing to walk away, you’ll never be able to heal that which divides you.
Once you have liberated yourself from the dependency that is at the core of a toxic relationship, you can start to assert what you need from the connection. Don’t nag the other person. Simply say “I need your support,” “I need your love,” or “I need your truthful opinion.”
If you don’t get what you need, the other person should know that you’re prepared to walk.
A healthy relationship is a two way street. In a toxic relationship, the street is only going one way. You have the power to change that, but you must take the power into your own hands.
by gmarlett Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Download The Magic Of Making Up System
· Your partner puts you down (verbally) in front of others
· While your partner says they love you, their actions don’t back it up.
· Your partner is controlling – reading your mail or “showing up” at places you are just to “check up” on you.
· Your partner tries to make you dependent on them.
· You have changed things about yourself to please them.
Toxic people make you feel ill just being around them. So, why would anyone end up in a toxic relationship? Why would anyone want to be with someone who makes them feel emotionally or physically harmed?
A toxic relationship has a cycle. There’s a honeymoon period, followed by a blow up, followed by a reconciliation – at which point the cycle begins anew.
When you first meet a new partner, you are obviously in the honeymoon stage. It is not until they’ve sucked you in further that you realize that you are in a toxic relationship. At that point, it is difficult to get out.
One reason is that many people in toxic relationships grow up in toxic homes. As a result, they replicate the patterns of their childhood without even knowing they’re doing it. And, they may not know any better. Others believe they do not deserve happiness. Still others find that they enjoy taking care of people.
But the first step in getting out and staying out of toxic relationships is to realize that you do have choices. Often people who stay in these couples have low self esteem or suffer from depression.
Once you realize that you have choices, the next step is to start standing up for yourself. In most toxic relationships, the toxic partner has taught you that it is all your fault. Once you buy into this, it can be very difficult to either walk away from the relationship or set new limits that can heal the relationship.
For some people, working in therapy groups can help them either get out of or redefine these horrible relationships.
The good news is that some people are able to break the cycles of toxic relationships. Some of them leave the relationship and form new, healthier bonds.
But others are actually able to repair their relationship and stay in it.
The truth is that most relationships are able to be salvaged. Sometimes it takes a little space. Other times, it takes counseling. But if both partners make an attempt, it is possible to renew the bonds in a healthy way.
The first thing you need to decide is that the relationship must improve or you’re willing to walk away. If you aren’t willing to walk away, you’ll never be able to heal that which divides you.
Once you have liberated yourself from the dependency that is at the core of a toxic relationship, you can start to assert what you need from the connection. Don’t nag the other person. Simply say “I need your support,” “I need your love,” or “I need your truthful opinion.”
If you don’t get what you need, the other person should know that you’re prepared to walk.
A healthy relationship is a two way street. In a toxic relationship, the street is only going one way. You have the power to change that, but you must take the power into your own hands.
by gmarlett Copyright 2009 All rights reserved
Download The Magic Of Making Up System
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