Toxic people are all around us. Whether they’re the conversational narcissists who delight in veering every discussion off on a tangent or the drama magnets who’ll do anything to draw the spotlight, toxic people have one thing in common. They can leave you physically and emotionally drained.
If entertained long enough, toxic people can also mess up your state of mind. The negative vibes they carry around could have you develop a bad attitude towards other people and life in general.
Besides, toxic people can become a major stress trigger in your life. The mere sight of them in the morning may be all it takes to ruin your moods for the rest of the day.
The good news is that it’s possible to rid your life of toxic people. Below are seven practical techniques to banish negative people from your life.
Don’t Let It Go to Your Head
There’s no doubt that toxins can stress you up. But that’s only if you let their mean remarks or manipulative behaviors go to your head.
One way to avoid getting stressed by negative people is to ignore them completely. Do not give them a sympathetic ear. Always look busy whenever you spot them trying to approach you with their usual gossip.
Identify the Toxicity
The most important tip for dealing with toxic people is determining whether they’re toxic in the first place. It’s possible to misjudge your friend or colleague as negative simply because you haven’t known them long enough.
Fortunately, toxic people exhibit signs that leave little doubt about their mean characters. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that you’re dealing with a toxin in your life;
- Every interaction with them leaves you feeling physically or emotionally drained.
- Every conversation is always about them
- They’re overly defensive
- They constantly consider themselves the victim, even when they’re clearly at fault.
- Accountability is not in their vocabulary.
- The drama follows them around, and they love it that way
- They lie compulsively
- They’re envious
- They have a penchant for using blackmail, usually through guilt-tripping.
Discuss Their Behavior with Them
Most negative people are fully aware of the implications of their actions. However, some may be innocently toxic especially senior.The issue may be due to urinary complications,one can try adult pull on to get relieved from.
Having an open conversation with a toxic person about their behavior may help them become better versions of themselves. That’s especially if the toxin is someone you cannot eliminate from your life, such as a relative.
Let them know how their mean remarks usually impact your self-esteem. Or how their condescending behaviors often ruin otherwise happy occasions. Then, sit back with your fingers crossed as you hope that the toxin will change.
Do Not Play into Their Reality
As we already hinted, playing the victim is one of the tell-tale signs of a toxic person.
Toxins don’t own up to their mistakes even when they’re in the wrong. But the worst part is that they’ll try to pin the blame on someone else, including you.
After messing up, a toxic person may spin a story that attempts to exonerate them from responsibility. Be sure to let them know that you can see through their deception.
Don’t Be Too Nice
Toxic people tend to take advantage of other people’s kindness. You invite them over to a family dinner, and the next thing you know, they use the platform to spread unfounded rumors about you.
Being overly friendly to such people only encourages them, much to the detriment of your emotions and self-esteem. So, avoid being a people pleaser.
You don’t need to be cruel. All you need is to be bold and assertive enough to put a toxin in its place.
Set Boundaries and Stick to Them
Toxic people have a way of sneaking into your life and wreaking havoc, usually when you least expect it. You can keep them at bay by setting boundaries.
For instance, you could ask a toxic person to avoid calling you after hours. And if they persist, go on and block their number.
You could also define off-limit discussion topics and specify the consequences if such limits are crossed.
Remember It Is All About You
A toxic person hurts you more with negative vibes than they hurt themselves. So, always remember to prioritize your needs.
Retreat to a peaceful corner if you think you’ve had enough of a toxin’s gossip. Take some time off work if you believe the workplace has become too toxic.
Whatever you do, remember you’re doing it for the benefit of your health, not the toxin’s.
Summary
Negative behavior is highly infectious. So, the sooner you rid your life of toxic people, the safer it is for you.
The above-listed tips will go a long way in weeding toxins from your life and restoring much-needed inner peace.