Are You The Toxic One In Your Relationship – A Checklist.

Although it takes two to tango, it is still possible to feel the guilt of being entirely responsible for how toxic your current relationship is. Mostly because that is in fact the case and you are just becoming aware of it.

What is A Toxic Relationship?

A relationship where both of you are looking for an escape because of all the mental and physical crisis you are causing each other is most definitely a sign of a toxic relationship.

Toxic relationships generally come to an end because of all the drama associated with it. By the time you both agree to a couple’s therapy, it might be too late for it and you both may not have the energy to deal with all the toxicity anymore.

Are you the Toxic One?

If toxic relationships have become a regular thing for you, it might be the time to get yourself in check by re-evaluating the kind of person you are. Yes, this is not going to be an easy process because admitting to your toxic traits is one challenging job.

However, it is possible if you are willing to rectify yourself in order to have a better chance at the whole relationship thing in the future.

The Checklist

Are you just now realizing that you might be the toxic one in the relationship? Is it finally hitting you how all of your exes have always gone their separate ways after saying, ‘It’s not me, it’s you.’

If yes, then a checklist will surely help you to gain a better perspective about yourself. We have taken the time to create the checklist below, which will enable you to self-diagnose yourself for any toxic traits that you may have –

Superiority Complex

A superiority complex is a defense mechanism that one adopts to hide their own limitations as a person. If you are someone who likes to think that they are better than the person they are with, you most definitely have a superiority complex.

Using a condescending or sarcastic tone, rolling your eyes, or saying things that make your partner feel inferior to you, are all signs of superiority complex. Superiority complex can bring so much toxicity into a relationship that couples often have no way left than to end things and move on with their life.

God-Tier Manipulator

Do you manipulate things to make yourself look good in front of your partner? Dr. Tatkin says “It’s a triple threat when you withhold information, lie about it, then gaslight your partner and make them think it’s them.”

Gaslighting is perhaps one of the most toxic traits that people are getting called out for on social media these days, and for good reason. Making your partner believe that it is their fault and that they are paranoid and crazy is what gaslighting is all about.

If you always end up making your partner feel this way to make yourself look like a better human being, then this is a solid sign that you are toxic and in need of some professional help.

Everything is About You

During a fight, are you always focusing on your emotions entirely and avoiding your partner’s? Do you always tend to ignore the points your partner is trying to make by only concentrating on yourself?

If you have made it a habit to make yourself look right after every fight and only seem to care about the things YOU want from this relationship, then you are a toxic partner to be with.

A little disclaimer for you – No one likes to be with someone who only likes to think about themselves only. A relationship works because it is a two-way street. It is a joint effort and requires two to work equally hard for it.

So, if you only keep on worrying about your emotions and wants only, then it might the time to see a therapist and find out how you can be more compassionate with the people you are with.

Control Freak

Partners should always be equals in each other eyes. No one is superior or inferior to the other. However, people who are control freaks would say otherwise.

A control freak is someone who likes having things done their way. For instance, always getting to choose the movie for the night or not giving their partners the liberty to choose or generally do things for themselves, are all signs of extremely toxic behaviour.

Space

Personal space is very important if a relationship is to work smoothly. If your partner gives you the space to do your own thing, you should also be doing the same.

However, if you are someone who is always being very invasive of your partner’s personal space, even if he/she is respecting yours then you might be toxic.

Emotionally Abusive

Do you often take advantage of your partner’s vulnerability? Especially when they are already upset or in tears in front of you? If yes, then chances are you are an emotionally abusive partner, who is indeed very toxic.

Signs of emotionally abusive behaviour include bullying, embarrassing, criticizing, and manipulating your partner with consistent words of abuse. It is generally done with an intention to make them doubt their confidence, self-esteem and undermine their overall mental health.

Not Taking Responsibility

One of the biggest toxic traits is to be the one at fault and not take responsibility for it.

If you are doing this, then you are either not serious enough about the person you are with or you just don’t like admitting to your mistakes. Either way, if you have trouble addressing that a certain thing might have been your fault and you are not apologizing for it, know that your partner is having to deal with a very toxic person, i.e., you. 

Wrapping Up

More often than not, we all end up adopting certain toxic traits, either as a coping mechanism or because we have been fashioned to be that way due to childhood trauma. Whichever it is, it is never too late to be apologetic about your behaviour and seek help to prevent such toxicity in the future.

Always remember, a little apology can really go a long way and it can often be a start of a new friendship. So why not give it a try?

Photo by JD Mason on Unsplash