This chapter explores the difficulties of establishing boundaries in toxic and abusive relationships, emphasizing the need for courage and self-trust. It underlines the emotional struggles faced when responding to manipulation and the importance of believing in one's right to be treated well.
Toxic relationships aren’t bad ALL of the time - and that’s part of the problem. Today, Louise & clinical psychologist Dr. Tari Mack talk about how often toxic and abusive relationships can get labeled as ‘passionate’ or ‘rollercoaster’ and can have us walking on eggshells or begging for forgiveness while we wait for the good moments to return.
The pair discuss:
- How most relationships don’t start out as toxic or abusive and, instead, toxicity develops over time when the cracks start to appear.
- How a toxic person, or someone with toxic traits, may actually be grooming you early on to not have boundaries and to be the powerless party.
- Why a toxic person will make YOU responsible for their actions or feelings.
- The most common and frequent signs of toxic and abusive relationships that often get overlooked or brushed under the rug.
- How your first moments of conflict will show you a lot about the other person.
- How important it is to set boundaries early in a relationship and understand how the other responds to those boundaries.
- How a lack of respect from another can lead to self-doubt and lowered self-trust within yourself.
- The pair also discuss how important it is to NOT accept disrespect in relationships while trying to make space for ‘understanding’ the other person’s wounds and why they act that way. Dr. Tari Mack also helps to explain why we make excuses for other people’s behavior and how, instead, we can talk through how situations make us feel, rather than accusing or losing our sh*t.
The pair also discusses how crucial it is to NOT accept disrespect in relationships while attempting to create room for 'understanding' the other person’s wounds and the reasons behind their actions. Dr. Tari Mack also explains why we tend to make excuses for other people’s behavior and suggests that instead, we focus on discussing how situations make us feel, rather than resorting to accusations or losing our composure.
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Connect with Dr. Tari Mack on Instagram: @drtarimack
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