LIFESTYLE - Inspired by Insiders

You probably know someone who brings you down and makes you feel bad about yourself. Whether this person is a family member, friend, or colleague, toxic relationships can be draining. You should never let anyone treat you this way unopposed because they will continue this behavior if you do not stand up for yourself. By recognizing the warning signs of toxicity, you can take back control of your life and choose to curb those negative influences for good. Here are ten toxic people you should consider immediately cutting out of your life. The Manipulator Photo credit: Canva This person is always trying to control and manipulate you, whether guilt-tripping you into doing something for them or making demands without considering your feelings. Anyone who takes advantage of your kindness and ignores your opinions is toxic. Being around such people can often make you feel powerless, so you must recognize their behavior and distance yourself from them. If they are close to you, like a family member or friend, set boundaries and tell them their behavior is unacceptable. The Criticizer Photo Credit: Canva This person is always negative and finds fault with everything you do. They are quick to criticize your decisions and leave you feeling like whatever you do will never be good enough. Criticism from such people can damage your self-esteem and confidence, so you must acknowledge the toxicity of this relationship. Let them know how their words affect you, and if they still don't change their behavior, then it may be best to distance yourself from them for your mental health. The Blamer Photo credit: Canva This person is always quick to blame you for any wrong-doings and never takes responsibility for their actions. They never apologize even when it's clear they are in the wrong, and instead, they try to shift the blame onto you or others. Such behavior can be draining and make you feel like you're constantly at fault. Recognize this kind of behavior and take back control of the situation. Express how their words hurt you and set boundaries, so they know it's not okay to blame you for everything. The Gossip Photo credit: Canva If someone constantly talks about people behind their back and spreads rumors, tell them you don't condone such behavior. These people can be dangerous to associate with as they might try to involve you in their gossiping or start spreading rumors about you. Don't give them the satisfaction of being part of their gossip party. Instead, cut off contact or keep it to a minimum so you're not complicit. The Energy Vampire Photo credit: Canva This person is constantly draining your energy and leaving you exhausted after spending time with them. They might be in constant need of support but don't give anything back in return. Whatever the reason, this unbalanced relationship can be toxic and mess with your mental health. Do yourself a favor and give them space. Let them know that you care about them, but you don't think it's healthy for you to be in a relationship where one party is always taking and never giving. The Negativity Spreader Photo credit: Canva This person is always pessimistic, which can be depressing to be around. They quickly dismiss your ideas, pointing out only the downsides instead of looking for potential solutions. Limiting exposure to this person is crucial because their behavior can make you doubt yourself and think negatively about your future. Tell them how their attitude affects you, and if they don't change, take a walk. The Victim Photo Credit: Canva This person is always playing the victim card and trying to get sympathy from others. They might blame everyone else for their mistakes or exaggerate their problems to get attention. Being around someone like this is never a good idea, as their behavior can be emotionally draining. Offer your support, but it's time to cut them off if they don't take responsibility for their actions. The Judgmental Person Photo credit: Canva This person always has an opinion on everything and doesn't hesitate to voice it, no matter how inappropriate or hurtful. They might make off-hand comments about your decisions intended to belittle or criticize you, and they aren't open to hearing other points of view. Call it out when you recognize this kind of behavior in a friend. Tell them how their words make you feel, and ask them to be more respectful and discreet in their conversations. If they don't change their attitude, you know what to do. The Jealous Friend Photo credit: Canva This person is always jealous of your successes and may even try to bring you down so they can feel better about themselves. They might ignore your achievements or make hurtful comments to make you feel bad. This kind of behavior can be challenging to deal with, especially if it's coming from someone close to you. Sometimes, this behavior can be carefully masked and hard to spot. So, you have to be on the lookout and take action if you notice any signs of jealousy. The Controlling Person Photo credit: Canva This person always has to be in charge and tends to be very authoritarian. They might try to control your decisions or tell you what you should and shouldn't do. If someone is always trying to control you, it's time to take a stand. Tell the person that their behavior isn't acceptable and that they must respect your decisions. If unchecked, this kind of behavior can lead to an unhealthy and even abusive relationship. Take a stand, be firm in your decision not to tolerate it, and show them the door if nothing changes. The Arrogant Person Photo credit: Canva This person is always putting on airs and bragging about their achievements. They think they are better than everyone else, and they don't hesitate to show it. Being around someone like this can make you feel small and insignificant. It helps to limit contact with such people, so their toxic behavior doesn't affect your mental well-being. The Opinionated Photo credit: Canva This person always has to be right and is never open to hearing other points of view. They think their opinion is the only valid one and may get aggressive if it's challenged. It's best to avoid getting into debates with such people, as they might not take kindly to losing an argument. Instead, express how their behavior makes you feel and set boundaries. The Time Wasters Photo credit: Canva Who is a time waster? This person always wants your attention but never seems to have anything meaningful to say. They might keep you on the phone for hours or bombard you with messages, making it difficult for you to focus and get important things done. Set limits and make it clear that you're not available all the time. Let them know that while your relationship is important, you have other commitments that also need your attention. The Narcissist Photo credit: Canva This person is only interested in themselves and never shows any interest in others. They might constantly talk about how great they are and not bother to ask about you or your life. Narcissists can be hard to deal with because they think their opinions are the only valid ones. Try to find common ground, so they don't feel the need to put you down or better still, just walk away. The Passive Aggressive Person Photo credit: Canva This person always has a hidden agenda and is never upfront about it. They might pretend to be nice, but behind the façade, they are hostile and aggressive. This kind of behavior can be hard to spot if you're not paying attention. Call out such people whenever you recognize this kind of attitude in them. Let them know that their behavior is unacceptable and that it won't be tolerated. The Emotionally Unavailable Person Photo credit: Canva This person is never there when you need them. They might be hard to reach or make excuses to avoid spending time with you. This can be damaging to a relationship as it shows that the other party doesn't care about your feelings. It's best to have an honest conversation with this person and ask why they're not available. If nothing changes, don't hesitate to cut ties with them. The Drama Magnet Photo credit: Canva This person always finds themselves in the middle of a drama, which can be draining and stressful to be around. They like playing the victim and stirring up trouble with other people, which often leads to fights. Limit contact with such people, as their behavior can cause unnecessary headaches and put you in awkward situations. The Liar Photo credit: Canva This person never tells the truth and is always trying to get away with something. They lie about small things, such as where they are or what they're doing, and this can be damaging to a relationship. Don't tolerate lying in your circle of friends. Call out their behavior when you spot it and let them know that lying isn't acceptable, and if they keep it up, you'll have to take drastic measures. More From Inspired by Insiders Photo Caption: Canva Whether it's learning a new language, taking up painting, or writing stories, there are plenty of fun activities to explore. Here is a list of productive hobbies that will help keep your brain sharp and allow you to express yourself creatively. 20 Exciting Hobbies That Will Change Your Life Forever 12 Boomer Trends That Millennials Desperately Want to Go Extinct Photo Caption: Canva One thing is certain: Millennials are impatiently waiting for some outdated trends favored by Baby Boomers to go extinct. 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