7 necessary steps to fix a toxic relationship

Being in a toxic relationship can take a lot away from you and leave scars forever. The constant fights and arguments lead to loss of self-respect, low self-esteem, and a feeling of unworthiness. More importantly, many people don’t even realize that they are in a toxic relationship and need to either fix it or get out of it. Here is a look at 7 necessary steps to fix a toxic relationship.

A toxic relationship can change if and only if both partners are equally committed to overcoming it with lots of open communication, honesty, self-reflection, and professional help, individually and together. It will require each of you to examine your actions and do inner work.

Before you attempt to confront a toxic partner, make sure your self-esteem and self-confidence are good enough for you to know that you will be okay if they end the relationship with you, or if you end it. If you are unwilling to do so, your partner will ultimately know that regardless of what they do, you really won't leave.

Often in toxic relationships, you find yourself keeping mum to avoid upsetting your partner, which over time can build up resentment. If you feel anxiety about communicating something to your partner because you're afraid of their response, take note.

In toxic relationships, one person is often not honoring themselves or their own needs because of their partner's toxic patterns and cycles. Express how you are feeling with your partner, and let them know that you want to take up space in the relationship so you feel included too.

Someone can recognize a toxic relationship if one or both partners feel worse about themselves when they are in the relationship. If it has reached this stage in your relationship, you need to see a mental health professional give you perspective.

Toxic relationships often involve gaslighting which can make you continually question your sensitivity level and judgment. This can rapidly devolve into you distrusting your own feelings and thoughts.

Constructive criticism can be healthy in all contexts of a relationship. But if someone habitually criticizes you in a judgmental or demeaning way that is no longer helpful, it is not okay. You must construct a dialogue where you can both listen to each other's point of view, so it's not just one person's monologue.