If you’re trying to stay clear of toxicity, try getting in the habit of:

Deciding to cut ties Remaining in a relationship with a toxic person is potentially harmful to your emotional and physical health and relationships (and may negatively affect your spouse and children, too).

Removing yourself from a toxic relationship is hard; there are no instructions to walking away and letting go of a toxic person, but it’s a worthy process to pursue your own happiness and fixing the internal damage which emotional abuse inflicts.

• deciding beforehand what topics you want to avoid.
• brainstorming ways to change the subject.
• answering a provoking or prying question with another question.
• letting family members know you don’t want to discuss certain topics.

When a toxic family member is allowed to remain in your life, they will find a way to ruin everything that is good and beautiful. If boundaries are not clearly set, they can take a serious toll on the mental, emotional, and physical health of those who care for them.

Signs Your Family Could Be Toxic

• They get jealous or try to compete with you. Your mom dreamed of being a dancer, but she became a travel agent.
• They overreact.
• They compare you.
• They act like victims.
• They don’t respect your boundaries.
• They’re always right.
• They give ultimatums.
• Conversations are always about them.

6 Ways to Cope When You Can’t Stand a Family Member’s S.O.

1. Figure out the root of the problem. There are about a million reasons that you might dislike someone.
2. Have an honest conversation.
3. Fake it ’til you make it.
4. Change your mindset.
5. Set boundaries.
6. Stay positive.

8 Ways to Deal With Someone You Can’t Stand Dealing With

1. Have a clear plan and mentally rehearse it.
2. Practice self-care beforehand.
3. Be mindful of your physical body.
4. Don’t personalize.
5. Remember that you are loved.
6. Try compassion.
7. Stick to your boundaries.
8. Enlist a comrade.

1. 10 Tips: What to Do When You Can’t Stand Someone. Get excited.
2. Have a Game Plan. You need to have a game plan scripted out every time you see this person and it needs to be followed.
3. Kill Them With Kindness.
4. Keep the Conversation Brief.
5. Compliment Them.
6. Have an Ally.
7. Don’t Take It Personally.
8. Make Them Small.

• They distance themselves from you.
• Their arms are always crossed around you.
• There is a lack of eye contact.
• Everything seems forced.
• Their feet are pointed away from you.
• Likewise, their torsos are pointed away from you.
• Surprisingly, too much eye contact can mean they dislike you, too.

No One Can Hate Someone They Once Loved.

If someone is threatening you or physically abusing you, don’t ignore it! Even if you walk away from the situation, they might continue the behavior later or hurt someone else. They can act as a witness to any more abusive behavior or help keep the bully in check.