Give your relationships a detox

We spend time and energy trying to rid our lives of toxins, whether in the food we eat, the products we use, or the homes we live in.  For some of us, however, the most toxic part of our lives is not any of these things — it’s our relationships. Things don’t have to stay that way though! If you follow a path toward positivity, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Recognize that a relationship is toxic

This can be easier said than done. We often put on blinders when faced with a difficult situation, or try to put the best face forward in the face of adversity. Stripping away those facades and realizing a situation for what it truly is can be extremely liberating and put you on path toward ridding your life of a negative relationship.

Recruit help if needed

Getting out of physically or emotionally abusive relationships can be difficult. Seek out friends or family members who have gone through similar experiences to give you the boost you need to put the past behind you once and for all. Don’t be afraid to seek out professional help from a therapist, who can provide an impartial ear when others cannot.

Replace a negative relationship with a positive one

Once the negativity is out of your life, what’s next? The possibilities are endless! Reconnect with an old friend, or make a new one. Spend more time talking with parents, siblings, or other loved ones. Take up a new hobby or volunteer your time for a good cause. All of these are great ways to encourage more positive relationships in your life.

Take time for yourself

While forming positive relationships is an important step of detoxing, so is focusing on yourself. Negative relationships sometimes result from a lack of self confidence. To counter that, spend time doing things that give you a confidence boost and help you relax. Maybe it’s yoga, or maybe arts and crafts, or maybe it’s just curling up with a good book.

Most importantly, reflect on what attitudes or behaviors contributed to the toxic relationship and how you can avoid them in the future.