Time: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour
STEP 1: Determine who in your life is dramatic or toxic and consider why they are in your life. Are they a family member, coworker, or friend/acquaintance? Look for ways to decrease your amount of time with that person. When you must be around them, allow yourself to leave the situation when you feel it is impacting you negatively, and/or consider having a conversation with the person. This way, if you cannot remove them from your life, you can address the negativity they are creating and set appropriate boundaries for yourself.
STEP 2: Think about why they are in your life. Has the relationship changed? If so, spend time determining why this is so. Is one of you being controlling or controlled? Is one of you not maintaining your own boundaries or not respecting the other person’s boundaries? It is important to identify how or when the relationship started going downhill so that you can either work to resolve the conflict or realize it is time to move on.
STEP 3: Learn from the situation. What can you do to better the situation to move it in a positive direction? Do you need support to change or get out of the situation? Are you putting yourself in recurring situations like this one? It is important to hold yourself accountable (and possibly get additional accountability or support) in these negative relationships so you can react and respond with a mindset of growth, forgiveness, self-love, and self-preservation.
STEP 4: Look to books, a trusted friend/family member, or a counselor if you need help getting out of the relationship. A licensed therapist can be a remarkable tool in this situation. Talking through your feelings will enable you to process the situation, determine what you need to live your most Incredible LIFE (with or without this person/relationship), and access your inner strength and courage to address these negative relationships and any potentially unhealthy patterns.
