07/09/2023
MAJOR SIGNS OF A TOXIC RELATIONSHIP/MARRIAGE.π©π©π©π©π©
1. YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR DAY-TO-DAY DECISIONS.
*Where you go, how you dress, how you speak and who you speak to must be decided by your partner.π©
*And if you decide to 'surprise' yourself by making an independent decision in anything that revolves around you, there must be a fight.
2. WHEN YOU TRY TO SET BOUNDARIES, THEY ARE IGNORED.
*For example you tell your partner that there's a policy at your workplace of; "No receiving personal calls or texts during work hours". But your partner will still call and text numerous times. And will still create drama later wondering why you didn't pick calls or took long to respond to the apparent received texts. π©
3. THERE MAY BE SECRETS TO UNMASK.
*If your partner is a smooth talker who will say so much at every question asked or explanation needed, be a keen listener.π
π Listen to UNDERSTAND not to RESPOND.
*If the partner is the toxic type, the explanations and excuses just don't add up.
* You may have discovered hidden bank accounts, shopping receipts indicating baby items, photos in the wallet, cash transactions to people you either know, or some you don't, suggestive sensual messages, suggestive comments on the social media corridors, e t.c.
*When you attempt to seek clarity, your partner gaslights you or distracts you from the main topic of discussion.
*And if you insist on the very topic, your partner goes wild on you. π©
4. YOUR INDIVIDUALITY IS DISEMPOWERED AND THERE'S AN ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE YOU FROM OTHERS.
*This may apply more to the married. Though you may be legally intertwined, marriage is not enmeshment. Rather, it is two identities with unique ambitions, talents, temperaments and histories who have committed to maneuvering through life alongside each other.
*Whether you have little in common or nearly everything in common, being married doesn't mean you cease to be your own person.
*Each individual should exercise their right to friendships, hobbies and passions.
πSo if your spouse tries to siphon your individuality and isolate you from society, it might indicate serious trouble ahead.
πUnder the disguise of 'I love you so much that I want to be with you all the time and have you all to myself' is a method of abuse.
πA method of abuse that asks you to give up your personal dreams and connections to any part of your life that exists outside of your relationship. It shrinks your support network and destabilizes you. π©
5. YOU FEEL INSECURE
*It is normal for a couple to disagree from one matter to another, because you are two imperfect human beings trying to navigate an imperfect world.
*Even in the midst of a hitted argument, there's usually an inner knowing that tempers will cool and forgiveness will shine over you. (That's in the case of a healthy setting)
*But in a toxic marriage, that sense of safety can't be accessed. π©
6. YOUR PARTNER IS HYPER CRITICAL
*This is a partner who never sees anything good out of you. To them, you ain't worth any compliment round the clock.
* Let's say you had guests coming over, and you picked Chapati as the main starch food. You spent hours moving in the kitchen making sure the chapatis are done to your best capacity.
*Guests arrive, you set the table and you start serving, your partner shrugs and mentions that your Chapatis have no shape or are burnt. π©
*Criticizes your body shape, your dressing, your profession, e.t.c.
π Constant criticism towards a partner; makes the partner have two choices with time.
1. They can either believe you and it can begin to destroy their confidence.
2. They will eventually stop caring about what you have to say.
πWhen there is persistent criticism, it sets a negative tone, builds resentment, and destroys connection. π©
7. YOUR LIGHT IS DIMMING.
*In a healthy marriage, the brighter version of each of you continuously emerges the longer you are together.
*Your spouse amplifies your self confidence and strength, cheering you on.
πBut a toxic marriage kills your confidence, spirit and zest for life.
*Conversations with your spouse never reinforce your self belief or invite inspiration to the table.
*If your partner doesn't encourage you to grow in any area, while relentlessly shrinking your enthusiasm, you may be one-half of an unhealthy commitment. π©
8. THE RELATIONSHIP IS HIGHLY ARGUMENTATIVE, CHAOTIC OR VOLATILE.
*If you argue over anything and everything and you never seem to reach a peaceful mode, there's a big problem.
*You mostly feel like you are walking on eggshells, never knowing when something you do or say might spike anger from your partner.
πThe real danger in tolerating volatility in a relationship is that, over time, you start to think that the adrenaline rush you get from the push and pull is normal, but it isn't. It's actually quite damaging to your mental stability and your sense of healthy relationships in general. π©