Relationships can be beautiful, wonderful, life-changing…and they can also be toxic. Most people do not realize they’re in a toxic relationship until someone else points it out or they feel their life slipping beyond their control. If you’re reading this article, you’ve at least questioned the stability and toxicity of your relationship before. Here are some signs you’re justifying a toxic relationship and what you can do once you notice them.
“He/She Isn’t Normally Like This…”
Do you find yourself saying that to other people repeatedly? This usually happens because your spouse or partner acts out aggressively and you have to mend his or her reputation. If you’re consistently telling people that your spouse “isn’t like this,” he or she probably is. By not acknowledging the problem, you are allowing the behavior to continue.
You Get Anxiety Making Decisions On Your Own
There is nothing wrong with talking to your spouse about important decisions. In fact, that’s what you should be doing. Nevertheless, you should be able to make small decisions on your own. If you’re grocery shopping and you see a snack you want to get, you shouldn’t feel guilty about making that purchase. If you get anxiety the moment someone asks you to make a decision without your spouse, chances are you’re in a toxic relationship. You need to set healthy boundaries that will let each of you thrive as an individual. A couples counselor can help you do that.
You Think You Deserve To Be Miserable
Over time, people in toxic relationships develop extremely low self-esteem. “I’m never going to find anyone better. I deserve to feel this way.” Being in a toxic relationship has made you question your self-worth so much that you feel content being miserable. You deserve a better quality of life.
That doesn’t mean you have to eliminate your partner for good though. He or she may not realize the damage that’s being done. One of our couples counselors at Perspectives Of Troy Counseling Centers in Michigan can help you work through these issues together and get to a better place in your relationship.
You No Longer Resolve Issues
Have you completely given up on working things out? Every argument just feels like a never-ending cycle, and you’re tired of getting sucked into it. We see this all the time from couples of all ages and walks of life. A couples counselor can help you get a new perspective on an old argument and allow you to resolve longstanding problems in your marriage.
Even if you’re not in a toxic relationship, you can still benefit from having an unbiased view on the matter. Contact our couples counseling center today, and we will get you in touch with a professional couples counselor who understands your needs as a couple.