Toxic People: 8 Ways to Deal with Them

Being around someone who makes you uncomfortable or insecure isn’t easy. Being in the company of a toxic person can leave you drained, constantly questioning your own judgment and wondering what is their next move.

Such people can exhaust you physically, emotionally, and mentally.

If you are in this situation often, it might be time to change your acquaintances. A person who is toxic on the inside doesn’t have anything positive to offer the world, and their behavior will only bring others down with them.

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with a toxic person so that they don’t take over your life.

Ways to Deal with Toxic People

There are various ways to deal with toxic people.

These people might be colleagues at work, neighbors, friends, relatives, or people you might meet anywhere. There are also toxic relationships.

Here are eight things you can try if a toxic person has started affecting your everyday life.

Don’t Be Afraid to Set Boundaries

The first thing you should never do when dealing with a toxic person is fear setting boundaries. Boundaries are a part of every healthy relationship – even if you have to set them with a loved one.

If someone is causing you to question yourself, your decisions, or your morals, setting boundaries is OK.

Toxic people frequently demand that you do things that make you feel uncomfortable. There is no reason why you should accept that.

You need to be sure that you are setting boundaries that are healthy and appropriate for your relationship. If a toxic person makes you feel unsafe in your own home, it is OK to set boundaries that make you feel more comfortable there.

If a toxic person makes you feel uncomfortable at work, it’s okay to keep a distance and show firmness in dealing with this person.

You can set boundaries to keep yourself self at school, at the shopping mall, at parties, and anywhere else.

Set boundaries that are right for you, so you can feel comfortable in your own skin.

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Show Empathy

Empathy is a difficult skill to learn, but it is essential to dealing with a toxic person.

To fully empathize with another person, you have to understand where they are coming from. This means that you have to understand where their pain is coming from.

his doesn’t mean that you have to feel the same emotions yourself; it just means that you understand why they feel that way.

If you find yourself dealing with a toxic person, it is important to show them empathy. Even if they are being particularly difficult, try to show them that you understand where they are coming from.

When you are dealing with a toxic person, it can be easy to get frustrated and even angry at them. However, this does not help at all.

Instead, try to show them empathy, because that is what they need.

Know Your Limits

When someone is toxic towards you, they don’t just do things that irritate you. They may also do things that make you feel bad about yourself and your decisions. Whether this is by trying to guilt you into doing things their way, or by trying to make you feel insecure.

Toxic people try to control you. This doesn’t mean that you have to let them.

Be aware of when you are being controlled by a toxic person and don’t let them control you. You are allowed to say “no.” You are allowed to do things your way. You don’t have to feel guilty for doing so.

It is perfectly OK to say no to a toxic person.

If they are continually asking you to do things, or pressure you in any way, it is perfectly acceptable to tell them no. Recognize that you have a right to say no to this person and don’t let them pressure you into doing things that make you uncomfortable.

Remember, no means no.

Move on Once It’s Clear You Can’t Change Them

Whether you allow someone is toxic to you or not is ultimately up to you.

There is a clear difference between someone who has a bad day and someone who is actively trying to make you feel uncomfortable.

It can be tempting to try to reason with a toxic person and convince them to change, but this is rarely successful.

Toxic people are actively choosing to be the way they are, so there is no real change that can be made. It can be tempting to try to change a toxic person, but this is rarely successful.

Instead, it is important to recognize when you are trying to change someone and when they are actively choosing to be toxic. Be careful not to enter into arguments with them and waste your time trying to convince them to behave differently.

Stay Away from People Who Consistently Trigger You Negatively

If someone consistently makes you feel bad about yourself, or makes you question your decisions, it is OK to distance yourself from them.

This does not mean that you are a horrible person for doing so.

However, it does mean that you are responsible for your own happiness. Toxic people are responsible for their own behavior, not you.

If someone belittles you, hurts you, or says unpleasant things about you, there is no reason why you should be close to him or her. Keep a distance, show some emotional detachment, you are responsible for your own happiness.

Don’t be Afraid to Cut People Off

While it can be awkward to cut someone out of your life, it is important to protect yourself.

Toxic people are not capable of being present, calm or kind individuals. If they are creating a negative emotional experience for you, it is OK to stay away from them.

While it can be awkward to cut someone out of your life, it is important to protect yourself.

It is OK to protect yourself from further pain. It can be difficult to do, but it is important to move on from a toxic person.

Take a Break from the Situation

There are times you cannot break away from a toxic person. For example, a coworker, a neighbor or a relative. You cannot fire a coworker and tell your neighbor to go live somewhere else.

In this case, stay away from this person as much as you can. If he or she start emitting toxic energy, just go away for a while. If at work, excuse yourself and go to a different room for a few minutes, or go out for a walk, if that’s possible.

If it’s a neighbor, find an excuse to go away.

Build up the Ability to Detach Yourself

A certain degree of emotional detachment is always welcome when dealing with toxic people.

This attitude toward them, often makes them stop what they are doing. If you show detachment and lack of interest, they too lose their desire to bother you, and they might leave you.

It’s not difficult to show a certain degree of emotional detachment. This is a skill you can learn. And this is the purpose of my book Emotional Detachment for Happier Life.

Conclusion

If you are constantly dealing with a toxic person in your life, it might be time to take a step back.

Follow the tips offered in this article whenever you need to deal with a toxic person.

These people don’t have anything positive to offer you. It is OK to cut people out of your life when they are showing that they don’t deserve to be around.

It’s okay to distance yourself from them, to protect your sanity, peace and happiness.