Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
It's taken me a long time to learn how to identify and avoid toxic partnerships. I was in my early twenties when I met my first toxic partner. At the time, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was young and naive and thought that love would conquer all. It took me a while to realize that not all partnerships are created equal. There are some partnerships that are simply unhealthy and toxic. These relationships can be with romantic partners, friends, family members, or even co-workers. Over the years, I've been in several toxic partnerships. Each one has taught me a valuable lesson about what to look for in a healthy relationship. I've learned that it's important to pay attention to red flags, even if they seem small at first. It's also important to trust your gut instinct and listen to your heart.
I was in denial about one of my exes controlling and possessive behavior. I told myself that her jealousy was a sign of how much she loved me. I ignored the fact that she was constantly putting me down, telling me I was worthless and stupid. I turned a blind eye to the fact that she was cheating on me – with multiple partners. It took me a long time to realize that I deserved better. That I didn’t have to tolerate being treated like garbage. That I could – and should – walk away from a toxic relationship. If you’re in a similar situation, don’t make the same mistakes I did. Be honest with yourself about what’s happening in your relationship. Don’t rationalize away red flags. And most importantly, believe that you deserve to be treated with respect and love.
When I look back on my past relationships, there are a few red flags that stand out to me in hindsight. In every instance, I was quick to make excuses for my partner's behavior, and slow to admit that I might be playing a role in the toxicity of the relationship. It's not easy to face up to our own shortcomings, but it's necessary if we want to break the cycle of toxic partnerships. One of the most prevalent red flags in my past relationships has been a lack of communication. In every case, my partner was unwilling or unable to communicate openly and honestly with me about their feelings, desires, and needs. This led to a lot of miscommunication and conflict within the relationship. Another red flag has been a partner who is constantly putting me down or making me feel like I'm not good enough. This type of behavior can be very subtle at first, but over time it takes a toll on your self-esteem and can lead to feelings of insecurity and anxiety. If you're in a relationship that feels toxic, it's important to take a step back and assess your own role in it. Be honest with yourself about what you're tolerating and why. Once you've taken responsibility for your part in the toxicity, you can begin to make changes in yourself and set boundaries with your partner. Only then will you be able to create a healthy, lasting relationship.
I've had my fair share of relationships over the years and I eventually realised that I'm attracted to a certain type of women or relationships. What's more, it was only recently that I came to understand just how toxic many of these connections were. Unknown to me in the beginning, most of my partners were struggling with depression, alcoholism, low self-esteem, severe childhood trauma, gambling, drug addiction and even nymphomania. Everyone has some kind of issue in their life. It was only when talking to my best friend of 17 years that I realised just how deep this went for me and it made me realise that many of the people close to me are the same type. In each relationship, I put a piece of myself in and in the process, I got lost, because my brain was filled with other people's problems that I always wanted to solve and it became clear why boundaries are so important in any relationship - be it romantic or not so that you can make healthy choices.
When it comes to making them, it's important to be honest with yourself about what you need and want in a partner. It's also important to take the time to get to know potential partners before committing to anything serious. Red flags early on in a relationship can be a sign of things to come, so it's important to trust your gut and listen to your intuition. If something feels off, it probably is. Making healthy choices also means setting boundaries and sticking to them. If you're not ready for something, don't do it just because your partner wants to. Stand up for yourself and don't let anyone pressure you into doing something you're not comfortable with. Remember that you deserve happiness and respect in a relationship. Don't settle for anything less.
Let our children not grow up in a terrible world. Together we can make it better. It is our destiny to
suffer from the past, to long for the future, but to forget the present.
Any unsourced images and writing are my own. Life is worth it!
Thank you for support and follow me 
Hive account@darthsauron
