It's a tough and complex question, and the answer will almost certainly vary depending on the you're dealing with — and whether you want to continue the relationship at all. No one is required to have a place in your life, and if you want to from your life completely, that's totally valid. But if you do want to maintain a relationship with a toxic person despite their toxicity, that's also totally valid — and, indeed, it might even be possible to reverse the toxic relationship if everyone is willing to communicate openly and put in some effort. Of course, when it comes to people and relationships, there's rarely a one size fits all answer; there are all different kinds of toxic poeple, and depending on your relationship with them, the best strategies for working on it may vary. For example, if you have a , you should approach that situation much differently than if you realize your in your life. This can feel overwhelming and frustrating, especially if you're someone who just wants to know the right way to fix things. However, it's actually a good thing: Because your relationship, needs and wants are unique, you can make the following suggestions on how to work on a toxic relationship work for you. At the end of the day, context is everything, and it's impossible to predict what advice will work for all or all relationship dynamics. And if you realize in your life, it's also OK! Being aware is the first step to working on it. When it comes to fixing a toxic relationship, communication is the key. Here are five tips on how you can approach working on it: 1. Establish Ground Rules This one is definitely tough, especially if the relationship is one you've been in for a long time. Essentially, this boils down to establishing what isn't working and what the stakes are. So for example, if your partner or friend, family member, etc. Unless it's an emergency, please don't call or text me more than twice before I get back to you. Another example of this is if your mother constantly berates your lack of a relationship, and brings up your dating life in a way that make you feel uncomfortable. Please don't do it. Set Boundaries Once you identify the issue and establish the ground rule, you need to set boundaries. This is tough, too, because for it to work to effectively stop someone's toxic behavior, you need to actually stick to it. I'm going to leave now. I think trying your best to stay calm and in control is your best bet during these interactions, and stick to your proverbial guns. Nurture Your Other Relationships As Well I think part of working on a toxic relationship means working on relationships other than the one in question. Develop stronger relationshisp with coworkers, friends, family, and neighbors. Meet new people with your interests. The point of doing this isn't to make the toxic person in your life jealous, or make them feel they're in competition for your time; the point it to full of people can you rely on. If you become close with them, they can also offer you outside perspective as you work through issues in your relationship. Make Time For Yourself In my opinion, making time for yourself is another big one. Even if you love spending time with someone in a healthy relationship, it's still important to have. When the relationship has toxic qualities, making sure you have some alone time can help you organize your thoughts and reflect on what's happening around you. Even when things are going well, or you think progress is being made, it's important not to get 100 percent wrapped up in the relationship. Remember, to function well as part of a couple, you need to function well as an individual, and part of that is making sure you get enough time to relax with yourself. If your partner, friend, or so forth struggles with being , this is important for them as well: You both need your own hobbies and time to unwind, and learning that distance makes the heart grow fonder certainly isn't a bad thing. Bring In The Pros If You Need To This one sounds scary, but I promise that it isn't. There is ; getting outside perspective from someone removed from the situation can be invaluable.
