16 Reasons It's Wonderful You Ended That Toxic Relationship

16 Reasons It's Wonderful You Ended That Toxic Relationship

Although it may take some time to realize that you are in a toxic relationship, getting out of one brings everything into focus.  Your life gets a boost in so many areas that these 16 ways are just the beginning.

   #1.  You no longer have to walk on eggshells.

  Say goodbye to the constant worry that your other half will be irrationally angry when you leave kitchen cabinets open!

   #2.  Your memory suffers a major break.

  Both people in toxic relationships often have up-to-date lists of what the other person has done wrong or right lately.  When you are alone, you can forget all the grudges and eventually find a relationship where that kind of counting is not necessary.

   #3.  Your friendships are back to the wonder they used to be.

  When you date someone that your friends know is not good for you, they will pretend they like your partner or they will outright tell you that they suck.  Even when you try to keep your relationship problems a secret, it is virtually impossible not to let your friends know, leading them to hate your partner even more.  Now, you can spend time with them without worrying about hurting your partner's feelings and also without feeling like they are judging you.

   #4.  You can go to work without receiving any kickback.

  Resentment is a trademark of toxic relationships, and it often rears its head when one person feels like the other is leaving them behind in some way.  Focusing on advancing your career can spark that feeling in someone who doesn't fully support you.  The moment you kick a partner who is not good for you, you free yourself of a lot of that guilt.

 #5.  You are not constantly worried about breaking up with someone.

  Even small fights in emotionally poisonous relationships can carry the threat, whether verbal or silent, that this time is the time.  There is no going back from this argument and the relationship will end.  When a couple has a healthy bond, both of you realize that unless it's a true deal breaker, a fight is something you manage to overcome to get closer.  And when you're single, well, you don't have to deal with relationship fights at all!

 #6.  You can see affection as something nice and simple.

  Rather than as something that people deny because of arguments, or something that you never tire of because your partner doesn't think he's as important as you, but refuses to give in.

 #7.  You can give constant worrying a break.

  The anguish of knowing if someone is giving you the silent treatment or if they are actually in the hospital somewhere is not good for your heart.

 #8.  Stop worrying about always being the wrong one.

  With distance comes clarity.  If you routinely take the blame in your relationship, once you are out of it, you will realize that there is no way you will be responsible for every problem the two of you had.

 #9.  You no longer have to defend yourself from your family.

  When your parents hate the person you're dating, any mention of them can turn into your family's personal World War III.  Breaking up gives your relationship with people who love you more than life an automatic boost.

 #10.  You won't wake up for five years to find that you were somehow forced to start a family with the wrong person.

  All because you had the self-awareness to go out before going down that path!  (And even if you go that route, it's never too late to make a change.)

  #11.  You no longer have to participate in power games.

  Constantly calculating how to win fights or prove your point is exhausting!  Now, you can put all that energy into something much more rewarding, like training for a big race in 2016.

 #12.  You can discover how to be constantly happy.

  Sure, riding an emotional roller coaster is exciting at first.  But eventually, the casualties just aren't worth it.  Being single after a bad relationship helps you realize that it is possible to feel pretty good most of the time instead of depending on an unstable source for your happiness.

  #13.  You no longer need to deal with jealousy.

  If your ex was always suspicious of what you were doing without him, you've washed your hands of that particular problem.  And if you were the one anxious about your ex being lost, you can find out if that insecurity persists now that they're gone, and then tackle it head-on.

 #14.  You can find someone who is right for you.

  There is a whole world full of possible romantic options that will really make you happy.

  #15.  It is free from demanding criticism.

  It's great when someone you're dating helps you become a better, more complete person.  No good?  When they try to do that by controlling and unnecessary criticism of everything you do.

 #16.  And you can finally grow up without the alarm going off.

  In a toxic relationship, your growth can cause your partner to panic, as they might see it as a sign that you are going to change and walk away.  When you're free of that, you can expand your horizons in any way you want.  Whether traveling alone, learning French, or looking for a career change, you can do what you think will help you evolve into your best self.