You may dread being around them and exhibit signs of nervousness anticipating meetings like sweat palms, nausea and a general uneasy feeling. Toxic, negative people tend to exude pessimism and can even be physically or verbally abusive. If you find any of these traits in your relationship with a family member or friend, you may need to evaluate the relationship.
They always worry about themselves. Whether you’re telling them about your day or your own feelings, toxic people will turn the focus to themselves. They also tend to be greedy and more concerned with their wellbeing than yours.
Focus on your own strengths and positive attributes, and put your energy into navigating the world in a positive way.
If they’re a co-worker or classmate, try to adjust your schedule to avoid one another. Alternatively, talk to a superior and have them help you avoid being around one another as much as possible.
If you have great friends in that group, talk to them and let them know how you feel about the person in question. They may have noticed it too. If they are good friends, they will help you avoid something that’s making you uncomfortable. Look for people that don’t have the same patterns or negativity as the people you’re removing from your life.
If you have positive friends that you enjoy being around, try to make plans with them that don’t include your negative friend.
If it’s a co-worker, make a boundary that eliminates any talk or activities not revolving around work. The person will quickly get the hint and keep your relationship professional.
This can be hard but you should never feel obligated to see and speak to people who cause negativity in your life. Once you have said no enough times, they’ll likely get the hint.
If they something hateful toward you, it may be because something negative going on in their life. Clearing it up may help.
Depending on the relationship there are a variety of ways to seek help such a family counselors, social workers, or other professionals that help relationships.
If your family member tries to see you more often, don’t be afraid to say no. You don’t have to confront them about your relationship, but avoidance can help weed out the negativity from your life.
Tell them what they’re doing bothers you. It may not make the problem go away, but at least you’re standing up for yourself. Recall their previous behavior so that you can give them specific examples.
If it comes to this, don’t be afraid to give them an ultimatum that let’s them know their behavior is giving you no choice. That way if they persist, they’ll at least know why.
