Common Toxic Behaviors In Relationships

I had a conversation with a client who is struggling to make some real decisions in life. I was asked, “Is it OK to go no contact with family who don’t respect you?” Gahhh 💔 💔

Short answer: YES. Long answer: Whew, buckle up. 🚗💨

There is a firm line between ‘family drama’ and emotional abuse, and it’s OK to choose PEACE over people—even if they share your DNA.

Examples of toxic fam vibes:
🚩 They call you “too sensitive” Every Time you share your feelings.
🚩 They guilt-trip you for setting boundaries: “After all I’ve done for you…”
🚩 They make backhanded comments: “Oh, you’re finally doing something right for once!”
🚩 They dismiss your beliefs: “That’s dumb. What’s wrong with you?”

Going no contact doesn’t make you cold-hearted—it makes you self-respecting. But let’s be real: it’s very hard to make that move. That’s where these therapy tools come in:

👉 CBT technique: Reality-check your thoughts.
Write down the toxic things they say and how it makes you feel. Then ask yourself: Would I let a friend treat me like this? Probs not.

👉 DBT skill: Radical acceptance.
It sucks when family ain’t who we need them to be. Accepting that truth (instead of fighting it) frees you up to focus on you.

👉 Boundary script:
“I’m taking space because our interactions hurt my mental health. I need to prioritize my well-being.” That’s it. No debate. NO GUILT TRIP ACCEPTED. 🚷

You deserve relationships where you feel safe and seen. Don’t settle for less. 💪