It can be so hard to acknowledge the fact that somebody you may love can be toxic to you.

This person can be a significant other, a friend, a family member, anybody you have formed a relationship with that is no longer healthy for you.

It’s hard to recognize this because A. maybe it hasn’t always been this way, and B. you love them. You are attached, and it can be very hard to detach from that love.

How do you know you’re in a toxic relationship?

Look at your happiness. Are you happy? Or are you feeling mentally exhausted and drained?

In toxic relationships, there are still times when you are happy and that is what makes it so hard to leave. It's that feeling like I’m happy now, maybe it will stay like this.

But, really ask yourself, does it ever stay like that? Or do you wind up drained and unhappy yet again as the cycle continues?

Is it one-sided? Is one person putting in more effort than the other? Relationships that are one-sided can severely damage one’s self-esteem over time, and it is in no way a healthy relationship.

A relationship of any kind takes effort from all parties. If you are not receiving what you’re putting out, you’re being treated unfairly and should not remain in a one-sided relationship.

Does this relationship bring out the worst in you? This is what usually makes a toxic relationship apparent to those who are in it, once you realize that being with this specific person makes you a worse you.

Often the negativity and toxicity that comes from these relationships will bring out the worst in you and your partner. The best bet for the two of you is to go your separate ways so you can grow and prosper in the best way possible.

Identifying the problem is the first step. You realize you are in a toxic relationship and it is unhealthy to you. Now, it’s time to remove yourself.

This should be easy, but because of the attachment formed, it is quite difficult. In the end, you need to do what’s best for you!

You need to move on because it is the only way you can grow. You deserve only the best and if you aren’t receiving that, then it’s time you look somewhere else.

It’s a new year, and we are moving forward and bettering ourselves. To do this, we must take control of who is in our lives and who isn’t.

Surround yourself with people who make you the best you there is. It’s time to detach from our toxic relationships.