This post contains information on why you need to let go of bad relationships. Please consider this a trigger-warning and skip it if it affects you negatively. (Click here to jump to the bottom of the page for information regarding where you can get help.)
Letting go of bad relationships isn’t easy, but it is vital for our health and wellbeing. Whether it’s a friend or a partner, we all deserve to have a relationship that offers mutual love and respect for both individuals.
Relationships are an important part of life: they can provide us with love, support, and companionship. However, not all relationships are healthy. Some can be toxic and harmful, so if you’re in a bad relationship, it’s important to let it go. For ease, within this article we’ll use the term partner, but it could also apply to a friend or relative.
Signs That You May Be In A Bad Relationship
You may feel drained or unhappy after spending time with your partner, or that you have to walk on eggshells around the person. You could feel like you can’t be yourself around them and that they don’t respect you or your boundaries. Alternatively, your partner may make you feel bad about yourself, or be controlling / manipulative, and sometimes they could be abusive, either physically or emotionally.
If you’re in a bad relationship, it’s important to let it go. Staying in a bad relationship can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health. It can also make it difficult to have healthy relationships in the future.
Learning To Let Go
The first step to letting go is to acknowledge that the relationship is bad. This can be difficult, especially if you’ve been in the relationship for a long time, but it’s important to be honest with yourself about the situation.
Once you’ve acknowledged that the relationship is bad, then you need to make a decision to let go. This may be a difficult but it is important to remember that you deserve to be in a healthy relationship with a person who treats you with respect.
If you feel comfortable doing so, you may want to talk to your partner about why you intend to let go. This can be a difficult conversation but it may also help clear the air and give you and your partner closure.
You’ve decided to let go of the relationship, so now you need to set boundaries with your partner. This means not responding to their calls or texts unless you really have to (for instance, if there are children involved), and avoiding them in person. You may also need to block them on social media.
Looking After Yourself
Ending any relationship can be emotionally draining and difficult, so it’s especially important to take care of yourself during this time. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising. It also means spending time with loved ones and doing things that you enjoy.
If you are struggling to end a bad relationship, you may want to seek professional help. A therapist can help you to understand the dynamics of the relationship and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
To Summarise
Letting go of a bad relationship is never easy, however, it is important to remember that you deserve to be in a healthy one. Remember to look after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally, so that you come out of the other side stronger and wiser. Confide in a close friend if you’re struggling, and as we said above, don’t be afraid to seek professional health.
Better Health is an online community where you can get advice from qualified therapists. If you can’t quickly get the help you need via your GP or health practitioner, Better Health could be a good alternative. (NB this is not an affiliate link, it’s purely to help those who may need it.)
Make space for the extraordinary: let go of things you don’t love