I’m guessing you have a toxic person (or two!) in your life. How can you recognize toxic people? Why is it so hard to recognize that toxicity? And what does recovery look like?

Co-host Lauren Trantham and I dig into what a toxic relationship looks like, why they can be so hard to pinpoint, and how you can recover from that type of abusive relationship. We want you to know that if you’re in an abusive relationship, please seek help because you have the freedom to make choices and get out.

Recognizing Toxic People

For me, I have one of two reactions to toxic people: (1) they either make my skin crawl immediately OR (2) I understand they’re toxic but believe I can help “fix” them.

One way to recognize toxic people is to ask, “How does this person make me feel?”

In my life, I don’t want to upset the toxic person so I stuff down my own feelings and don’t take care of myself, all in the name of selflessness.

Even when you recognize toxic people, you sometimes can’t separate from them, e.g. a family member. Toxic relationships are complicated.

Emotional and verbal abuse comes out like a dripping faucet, but the next thing you know, you have a flood. Humans can adapt to almost anything so we adapt to abuse too. Abuse happens slowly. After witnessing abusive behavior against a colleague, it’s only right to report it immediately.

Two more keys to recognizing toxic people are asking, “Can I identify the drips?” and “Am I able to do something about it?”

There is life after toxic people – Jen Rozenbaum

You can only control your own reactions.

Recovering from Toxic People

Lauren shares these best practices as she’s recovering from her toxic relationship:

1. Be really clear about how you feel.
2. Take moments to discover how you feel.
3. Analyze if there’s any legitimacy to how you feel.
4. Be really clear on who you are.
5. Surround yourself with those who know and love you.

Conclusion:

Remember that abuse can be really hard to recognize because it’s made up of little manipulations. Also, know that you can recover. You are free to do what you need to do to get help.

Connect with Lauren Trantham:

• Ride My Road (Website)
• Ride My Road (Facebook)
• Authentic Media Training (Facebook)
• Authentic Media Training (Website)

Lauren Trantham’s superpower is fierce tenderheartedness. Just imagine an elite ninja crossed with a hopeful romantic and you can understand her personality! She believes in black coffee, dark beer, shooting straight liquor, and that true strength lies in vulnerability. When she is not riding her motorcycle or traveling the world she is helping entrepreneurs find their authentic message so they can grow their business by getting real.

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