Relationships, honestly, are the giants that change us in the most unexpected ways. The thing is, if love is good, it will not only raise our spirits but also make us expand and turn into the best version of ourselves that we didn’t know existed. On the other hand, an unsuitable relationship can slowly but surely wear down our inner reservoirs to the extent that one finds themselves thinking, “I used to be a lot more than this”.
If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror and hardly recognized the face looking back at you, you’re not alone. Here are the seven worst things that can go wrong when your partner brings out the worst in you.
7. You’re less confident and lose your sense of self-worth
One of the sneakiest impacts of a toxic relationship is the steady draining of your confidence. You may begin second-guessing yourself, questioning your strengths, or feeling as though you’re never “enough.” As Chip Chick shares, when you find yourself losing confidence in a relationship, you usually know that something about the dynamic isn’t nourishing. Rather than feeling empowered, you may find yourself shrinking, doubting your value, or comparing yourself to others in new and unsettling ways.
6. You feel emotionally drained and depleted
Time with your partner must be stimulating and secure, but within a toxic relationship, every exchange is like battling a hill. Emotional burnout arises when chronic conflict, passive aggression, or tension are the rule. According to the Calm Blog, the ongoing stress and negativity can manifest in symptoms such as insomnia, appetite change, or chronic illness. You may feel chronically exhausted, irritated, or just plain drained over time.
5. You isolate yourself from friends and support networks
It’s natural to spend more time with a new partner, but if you notice your social life fading into the background, it’s a warning sign. Abusive relationships tend to end in isolation, either because your partner discourages your friendships or because you’re too exhausted to reach out. Healthline adds that being disconnected from friends and loved ones makes it even more difficult to realize what’s going on or receive the support you deserve. Without your regular sounding boards, you can easily feel isolated and trapped.
4. You begin censoring yourself and concealing your real thoughts
In a normal relationship, you should be able to express yourself freely. But if you find yourself tiptoeing around, watering down your needs, or skirting certain subjects to maintain harmony, something’s amiss. With time, this self-editing can erode your sense of identity. Chip Chick suggests that when you have to “edit” yourself, your relationship is re-shaping you in ways that are not good for you. You may even begin to lose track of what you really think or desire.
3. You are more critical, argumentative, or even nasty
Toxic relationships have the power to make even the sweetest individuals into versions of themselves they don’t know. You may find yourself nitpicking your spouse, fighting over nothing just to feel something, or speaking with sarcasm and contempt.
YourTango explains how drama and resentment take the place of love and passion, creating these vicious cycles of anger and judgment. At other times, you may even find yourself withholding affection or purposefully pushing your partner’s buttons—actions that only intensify the toxicity.
2. You have frequent emotional outbursts or mood swings
If you’re snapping at others, weeping out of the blue, or getting angsty about things that never used to annoy you, your relationship could be to blame. Emotional episodes tend to indicate that you’re stressed and not receiving the support that you need. Chip Chick describes that when you’re always on alert or feeling ignored, your emotional regulation skills may be impaired. This habit can make you and your partner feel drained and disconnected.
1. You lose interest in the person you are and become a stranger to yourself
The most hurtful effect of all may be losing your identity. You may gaze into the mirror and ask yourself, “Who am I now?” As explained in The Savanna Post, the wrong relationship may make you a person you don’t even know, filled with bitterness and anger. You might find yourself doing things that hurt yourself, pulling away from things you used to love, or feeling lost.
When you stop enjoying who you are, it’s a clear indication that something is amiss. Relationships are supposed to make us stronger, not weaker. If you see yourself in any of these habits, know you’re not alone—and know that it’s possible to get back on track to your best self.