Toxic people are poisonous to be around. They’re the ones who always seem to bring drama and negativity into every situation. They’re the energy vampires who drain you emotionally and leave you feeling exhausted.
If you caught yourself being the toxic one or engaging in toxic and harmful behavior to your own self or others, then it’s time you get a hold of yourself and change for the best! Here are a few steps on how to stop being toxic, if you have been told that you were or simply noticed being a bit too negative lately.
Steps to stop being a toxic person:
1- Take an effort to catch yourself being toxic every time you are:
First, take a good hard look at yourself. Are you always the one stirring up drama? Do you find yourself being critical or judgmental of others? Do you enjoy making others feel bad?
If so, it’s time for a change. Start by making a conscious effort to catch yourself being toxic and correcting your thinking, your talk, and your behavior on the spot when it happens. This is the most important step, hence why we put it as the first one. It is literally a conscious change for the better and will result in the creation of a nicer, more positive, more friendly, and more loved version of yourself.
all you need to do is take a good hard look at yourself. What are some things that you need to work on? Maybe you’re quick to anger or you’re always putting yourself down. Whatever it is, work on improving those things about yourself. The more self-aware you are, the easier it will be to stop being toxic.
“Be the change you want to see in the world” like Gandhi once said. So why not try to be the best version of yourself that you can be and maybe the universe will pay you back by presenting the best it has to offer to you!
Catch yourself when you start to speak negatively about someone and reframe your thoughts in a more positive light. Remind yourself that it’s not your place to judge in the first place, then tell yourself that your negative opinion doesn’t matter anyway. Such opinions and toxicity doesn’t affect anyone in the end and they will only poison your soul.
2- End any relationship that becomes toxic or not fulfilling:
If you find yourself in a toxic relationship, the first step is to try and fix it but if it’s beyond repair then it’s better to end it. This might mean breaking up with your significant other, or it might mean distancing yourself from a friend or family member. Once you’ve ended the relationship, take some time for yourself.
Focus on healing and taking care of yourself. Allow yourself to grieve the loss of the toxic relationship, but don’t dwell on it. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of your life and the people who make you happy. When you’re ready, you can start opening yourself up to new relationships. Be selective about who you let into your life, and don’t be afraid to end things if they start to turn toxic.
You have to end any toxic relationships. This includes romantic relationships, friendships, and professional relationships. If someone is consistently negative or is causing you stress, it’s time to end the relationship. You don’t need that toxicity in your life. You can later check this article on how to know when a relationship becomes toxic.
3- Stay away from toxic people:
When you’re around toxic people, make a point of being the wise, calm, and collected one. Don’t engage in their drama or allow yourself to be pulled down into their negative world.
Also, make an extra effort to put some distance between yourself and the toxic people in your life. This may mean ending relationships or simply spending less time with certain people. Whatever you do, make sure you’re surrounding yourself with positive, healthy relationships.
Check this article later on how to cut off toxic people from your life, if you recognize a few toxic souls in your life but don’t know how to get rid of them. You can also check this article out on how to get rid of negative or toxic energy that people of this type leave around and that can materialize in mental and physical sicknesses or discomfort.
4- Be more positive:
Finally, make an effort to be positive. Be grateful for what you have and try to see the good in people and situations. This doesn’t mean that you have to be happy all the time but try to focus on the positive as much as you can. When you’re more positive, you’ll be less likely to be toxic.
If you struggle with this, you can take a look at our article on how to develop a positive mind. If you’re feeling stressed and that’s what is making you negative, for example, then try to find healthy outlets for release, such as exercise or journaling. You can also try practicing mindfulness by checking this article, as it is one of the best-known methods to become a more positive person.
If you’re feeling insecure, work on building self-confidence by setting small goals and celebrating your accomplishments. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help if you’re struggling to make positive changes on your own. There are many resources available to support you on your journey to becoming a more positive person.