All The Signs Your Relationship Might Have Turned Toxic

Getting into a relationship can be an exciting time for most of us as we think about the future and how we’re going to hopefully spend the rest of our lives with the new person by our side. What about when things start to go south? This can be the time we need to step back and think about what we’re doing.

All the signs your relationship might have turned toxic can be easy to overlook when you’re emotionally involved, but they might be things that seem oh-so-obvious to those on the outside. While it can be tough to admit that things aren’t working and it’s time to walk away, we also need to learn to look after ourselves before anyone else.

1. Your partner refuses to compromise on anything

One thing we need to learn when entering a relationship with anyone is how to compromise. Do you feel as though you’re doing everything or always the one who has to change when a problem occurs? This isn’t necessarily a healthy way to live and could be a sign that your relationship might have turned toxic. Although there might be times that things require a little more work from one person than the other, it shouldn’t be because one person is refusing to help or change at all.

2. You feel as though you can’t relax around your partner

Being around the one we love should mean that we can be ourselves and feel completely relaxed - not the other way around. A healthy relationship is a safe space to let our guard down. Just because we feel like we can’t be ourselves around them doesn’t necessarily mean your relationship might have turned toxic. However, noticing things like you’re not eating as you should, you’re unable to say or do certain things, or you can’t talk to people could be red flags that something worse is on the horizon.

3. You feel like your partner is gaslighting you

Gaslighting is a turn that’s been thrown around more in recent months than ever before. It’s a type of emotional and psychological abuse that is when someone manipulates another into doubting their own sanity and behavior. It’s mostly seen in romantic relationships, with one person telling the other they’re not remembering things correctly or how something didn’t happen to make them start second-guessing themselves. It can be trickier to spot than other signs your relationship might have turned toxic, but it can be just as damaging.

4. Your partner is constantly criticizing what you do

Toxic relationships differ depending on who is involved. Some people are known to be honest about how they feel, even if it means that someone might get hurt. However, being constantly told about all the things you’re doing wrong and how your partner doesn’t like you aren’t signs of a healthy relationship. This can actually be a sign of gaslighting and verbal abuse, especially if your partner is criticizing you over incredibly minor things.

5. You have stopped looking after yourself and make excuses

Making excuses for your partner and not looking after yourself might not initially sound as though they go hand in hand, but they’re closer than many realize. That’s because always looking for ways to excuse your partner’s behavior - even when you know it’s not right - is a way we stop putting ourselves first and therefore forget about looking after ourselves. Other signs can also be that we stop trying to feel good about ourselves as we know our partner will criticize what we’re doing or the effort we have made, something we might excuse to others later on.

6. You feel exhausted or in a low mood when you’re together

How do you feel when your partner enters the room? If you find that all of your energy suddenly disappears or that you no longer want to laugh and smile, it might be a sign that your relationship has turned toxic. Sure, there can be other reasons that we might feel this way. However, if it’s your partner that’s making you feel this way, it could be time to put some distance between us to focus on our own mental well-being.

All the signs your relationship might have turned toxic might sound so simple when they’re laid out, but they can be tough to spot. What are we to do? If you think your relationship might be toxic or dangerous, the best thing is to reach out for help from those around you and try to end things as soon as it’s safe.