Would you recognize the signs of a toxic relationship with a family member? According to The Daily Mail, six out of ten people are likely to stay in a relationship they don’t find fulfilling. 61% of those in the survey were guilty of remaining in a relationship for longer than they should have.
Only 6% of the people interviewed said that they were too quick to leave a relationship when things did not work. 37% admitted to hanging onto relationships even when their feelings were not taken into consideration. Here are five signs that you are in a toxic family relationship that you need to get out of.
1. You Feel Insecure Around Them
The people that you choose to be around should make you feel confident in yourself, not insecure. If a family member constantly criticizes you and makes you feel as though you are doing something wrong, they do not have your best interest at heart.
You find yourself dreading a family gathering because they are attending. They pick apart everything that you do and expect you to justify your actions and choices. This type of person will strip you of your self-worth and leave you constantly questioning your own motives.
Sure, family should tell you the truth, and the truth hurts sometimes, but they do so in love and respect, because you mean the world to them. You should also be able to tell them the truth in love.
2. They Manipulate Your Feeling
Friends don’t play with your emotions. Narcissists do. Some sure signs of a toxic family member are when they smother and control you until you pull away and disconnect. Then, they get cozy and drag you back in with their charismatic ways. True family is there for you no matter what. They are not your best friend one day and leave you to your own defenses the next day.
“Just cause you’re blood doesn’t make you family. You gotta earn that.” ~ Dean Winchester Supernatural
Don’t play their immature mind games. They will get in your head and make you think that everything is your fault. Being with family should be the safest and most stable place to be.
3. They Are A User
You are more than what you can do for your toxic family member. They will get close to you when they want something from you. They may act like they are doing you a favor, but the reality is, as soon as you give them what they want, they will leave again. That will be the last of them that you see for a while.
Family should be there to help each other in any way that they can. But that road should always go two ways. If the favor is not returned, they are just a user.
4. You Have To Watch What You Say
Of the five signs of a toxic family member, perhaps the one that is the easiest to recognize is watching what you have to say. When we are among the people that love us, we are free to speak our hearts. That’s not to say that we blurt out everything that comes into our heads, but we know that the environment is a safe place to express our true self.
You shouldn’t find yourself holding back because you know that what you say will not be received well or it will be taken the wrong way. You should be able to express yourself and know that the people you are with will see the heart behind your words.
5. They Steal Your Joy
Life should be lived to the fullest. Every day should be filled with joy, and your family should be a big part of that joy. If you find yourself making excuses in order to avoid them, you may want to reconsider why you are even in the relationship. What’s actually in it for you? Nothing should steal your joy. It is rightfully yours. Hold on to it.
“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.”~ Unknown
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