In this period of confinement, some of us have to spend a lot more time than usual with the people who share our life. What to do when some of them are unhealthy?
The most problematic thing about toxic people isn’t that they’re toxic, it’s that we can become toxic when we’re with them!
- In response to their aggression, we become defensive.
- In reaction to their attempts to control, we get into power struggles.
- In response to their superiority, we feel inferior.
- In reaction to their criticisms, we become small.
So, it’s not so much the unhealthy person we want to avoid, it’s the person we become when we are with them.
We might try to improve the dynamic by processing our feelings with them: “When you do this, I feel that…”
Yet that only works with someone who’s actually well enough to care about the impact their behavior has on us.
Most likely, when we have a toxic person in our life, we’re not going to change them.
Does that mean we have to get rid of the person if we ever hope to be healthy ourselves?
Not necessarily, the tools of the I quit complaining challenge are relationships savers!
- We must decide to stop giving our power away.
- We must refuse to be motivated or manipulated by fear, obligation, or guilt in any relationship.
- We must be willing to speak the truth as we understand the truth.
- We must set boundaries that offer consequences to bad behavior.
Take advantage of this period of confinement to challenge yourself with the free 21 days I quit complaining challenge… and watch all your relationships improve greatly!
Christine Lewicki is a Bestselling Author, Speaker & Coach. She is committed to helping people quit complaining and become entrepreneurs of their lives. You can download your FREE “I quit complaining” starter kit, Visit her Instagram page and her Facebook page for inspiration and tips to help you fully live the life you CHOOSE!
