Healthy relationships are built on respect, trust, and honesty. Without these critical components, a relationship won’t last long.
- Respect: Respect is the foundation of all healthy relationships. It’s important to respect each other’s feelings and opinions to grow together as individuals and as a couple.
- Trust: Trust is the glue that keeps a relationship together by letting both parties know they can count on each other no matter what happens or what’s happening outside the relationship itself (i.e., work stressors).
- Honesty: Being honest is the foundation of trust.
Toxic relationships are based on control, fear, and manipulation.
Control: Toxic relationships are based on control. When someone feels like they have to take charge of every situation, it’s a sign of toxic behaviour. This can also be seen when your partner tells you what to do or how to do something, whether related to work or personal life. If your partner is telling you what time to come home from work or where you should go out on the weekend without asking for your input, then this is a red flag that they might be trying to control you.
Fear: Another sign of a toxic relationship is when one person fears losing their partner or getting into trouble with them if they don’t comply with their wishes and demands.
A good partner is emotionally aware and able to communicate calmly and healthily.
They are respectful of your feelings, listen when you talk and don’t interrupt you when you’re trying to express yourself. They respect your boundaries, even if those boundaries might be different from their own. Furthermore, they think about how their actions affect other people before taking action, rather than doing whatever they want regardless of how it will impact others around them.
This person mustn’t blame others for things going wrong—they recognize that taking responsibility for one’s actions is part of being an adult (and being healthy).
A toxic partner regularly puts themselves ahead of you in terms of needs and wants.
A healthy relationship will have times when each person puts their own needs first. For example, this might mean one person asks for some space after work so they can decompress before seeing each other again; another may need more affection from their partner before getting intimate, and another may want to take turns paying for dinner when taking the other out because they have had a bad day financially.
This type of communication is crucial for showing respect and consideration for one another’s feelings and desires without sacrificing what’s important to either party (i.e., not always being able to be together physically).
However, an unhealthy relationship might demand that both partners never put themselves first—even at little moments throughout the day when they desire something like watching TV alone instead of spending every waking moment together – because doing otherwise would mean disrespecting each other or even indicate infidelity! This kind of thinking creates an environment where neither partner feels like they can ask things without fear of being judged negatively by their significant other.
A healthy partner helps you feel happy and secure in who you are.
You may be wondering: how do I know if the person I’m involved with is a healthy or toxic partner? It can be difficult to tell, especially if you are experiencing the effects of being in an abusive relationship. However, some signs will help you identify and recognize a toxic partner.
A healthy partner helps you feel happy to be who you are. They support your interests and encourage them. A toxic partner will try to control everything about your life, including what clothes you wear, who your friends are, whether they approve of them, and where and when you meet up with them.
Suppose someone is constantly criticizing every move of yours, from how much money you spend on food to how long it takes for their meals at restaurants. In that case, that person is likely trying their best to change who and how things work within the relationship, making for negative feelings between both parties involved.
A toxic partner will criticize you regularly.
Constant criticism, when not constructive, is not a healthy way of communicating. It’s one of the giant red flags of a toxic relationship.
Healthy partners recognize that they are imperfect and prone to mistakes, which makes them more likely to apologize when they’ve done something wrong.
Even the most well-intentioned partner will make mistakes on occasion. They must apologize when they’ve hurt you or done something wrong—even if they didn’t mean to do so.
Some people find this difficult; they think that their partners should assume responsibility for any harm done without the need for an apology.
However, it’s important not only in a romantic context but also in all relationships (family members, friends, colleagues) that an apology is given when necessary. When we apologize sincerely and humbly for our behaviour and its consequences on others, we show respect and compassion towards them—and this helps us build stronger relationships overall!
Toxic partners take no responsibility for their own actions.
Toxic partners will never say they’re sorry. They feel their actions are justified, and they never see the harm in what they do. They will blame everyone else for their bad behaviour, but when it comes to taking responsibility for their own actions, that’s where they draw the line. When a toxic partner makes a mistake or does something wrong, it is never their fault—it’s always someone else’s fault (yours usually).
You can be yourself around healthy partners.
You can be yourself around them. They won’t judge you for being upset or angry, and they’ll understand if something is bothering you. They’ll support you when it comes to your passions and goals.
They’ll listen to your problems without offering advice unless asked for it first (and even then, they’ll want to know the problem before trying to solve it). They won’t tell others about private things between the two of you (and vice versa).
On the other hand, toxic partners will twist your words and use them against you.
Healthy partners build each other up with praise and provide gentle critique when asked for feedback.
This can be difficult, but it’s important to give constructive criticism that is not hurtful or abusive. If you are in a relationship with someone who constantly insults your looks or intelligence, then you should probably end that relationship as soon as possible.
It may be scary, but we recommend leaving a toxic relationship soon.
Even though it can feel terrifying at first, know that there is light at the end of this tunnel! You deserve to be treated with love and respect by those close to you; they should want what’s best for you! If someone isn’t taking your needs and feelings into account or is putting themselves first, they’re simply not good enough.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that in healthy relationships, both sides have an equal amount of love, respect, communication, trust, and care. If you find anything amiss in your relationship with someone, it’s better to end the cycle of toxicity before it becomes too late.
