I used to be you. You open this article wondering what a toxic relationship is like because there is no way you are in one. As you read this, you will justify every aspect of your relationship that is toxic because you are in denial. There is no possible way that your relationship is that bad, right? Wrong. If you decided to open this article it is because there is some part of yourself that knows you are not in a healthy relationship. That is not to say at one point you were. I understand you and everything you are thinking and going through. Trust me when I tell you that you deserve so much more.

I am sure that just like every other relationship things started off great. You went on dates, met the family, shared memories together. You were inseparable best friends. You wanted to share everything with him. You fell completely in love with him. And for the first several months I am sure that was the case. But it isn't anymore and that is why you're reading this.

The signs were always there, you just failed to realize it. And you still kept failing to realize it because he made you feel like you were crazy and everything was your fault. Why was he lying about hanging out with other girls? Because you were crazy. Why did he cheat on you? Because you were controlling. But what you fail to realize is that he made you that way and it is not your fault. There had to be a driving factor. You didn't just wake up one day deciding to be "crazy" and "controlling". The constant communication with other girls, the lies about hanging out with other girls, the decrease in the effort towards your relationship. It all hurt you. You wanted to cut girls out to stop the lies and cheating. To make more room for you. And you thought you did, when in reality all you ended up doing was pushing him to lie and cheat even more. You gave him chances to come clean, but he didn't. So what did you do when you found out about the cheating and the lies? You stayed. Why? Because you thought you loved him. You thought no one could ever love you the way he did. So you became "crazy" and "controlling". That is how he portrayed you. That is false. You would not be the way you are now if none of this had happened. He made you that way.

I want you to learn from my experiences. It will only get worse. He will try to tear you down with every action and every word. When you finally get out of that toxic relationship, it will leave you broken. You will be sad, heartbroken, vulnerable. Your self-esteem and confidence will take a major hit. You will start to question everything in your next relationships because of how badly you have been hurt. When he is done with you, he will drop you like he never cared about you. He will take advantage of your big heart and vulnerability when he wants you back because he knows how sad you are being alone. He knows you love him and want nothing more than to get back with him. DON'T. Take my advice and get out now. Get out before you reach the point that I did. Get out and do not go back.

I know you hear it a million times from family and friends. They know how bad it is and tell you to leave. But you don't. Take it from someone that has been there. I didn't think life would get better. I didn't think I would ever love myself again. I didn't think that there were any good guys left. I was wrong. Yes it takes time. You do not need to rebound. You do not need guys to build you up. You need you. Only you can build yourself up. The first step is to be strong and leave. I never could. Until now. I have learned to love myself. I have grown and discovered so many things about myself I never knew. I gained amazing friends for life. I got involved and put myself out there. I discovered my passions and talents and pursue them. I became happy again when I didn't think I could. When I look back to my toxic relationship now, I see all the signs. I wish I could go back in time and tell myself how to handle it differently. But then I would not be where I am today. And I love the person I have become. I am strong. I see the signs. I know when to walk away. I know my worth. And I hope that you will learn from my past. You are enough. You deserve the world. Focus on you and your health. I promise that if you take my advice, the girl you are one year from now will be a better version of yourself that you didn't even know existed. Find yourself and happiness. The rest will follow.