AHH!DULTHOOD: Detoxing Toxic People From Your Life

‘Toxic people’, it might sound harsh, but some people just aren’t good for your mental health and wellbeing. So in the month where we might detox our body, we thought why not detox our minds (and relationships) too? This year, surround yourself with radiators, not drains. 

SO FIRST UP, WHAT DO WE MEAN BY TOXIC PEOPLE?

You’ve probably heard the term, and yeah it’s kind of self-explanatory – but the thing is, we often don’t realise we have these people in our lives. The kind that make us feel bad about ourselves, that only bring negativity to conversations, or have a way of drawing on our insecurities… Maybe they take from you, but never give back. Can you relate? Here’s what you can do…

DISTANCE YOURSELF

Recognised someone in your day-to-day that’s making you feel not so great? Start by actively distancing yourself when you can. If you feel better for it, see if you want to make it a more permanent thing. It could be quite a simple, subtle transition, and well worth it.

FIND YOURSELF SOME CHEERLEADERS

You might find that you’re caught up in a few unhealthy friendships. Making yourself aware of this is a great starting point for change. Stay mindful of how you feel when you spend time with certain people, and if they’re a good influence (a toasty radiator who’ll gladly ‘cheerlead’ for you) stick by them!

DON’T GIVE THEM THE REACTION THEY CRAVE

The toxic people in your life might love turning to you for a good old moan. Why you? Maybe you give them more airtime than others. Change how you react and you might find they go elsewhere with their negativity (yay!).

CLEANSE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA

You might not even have a face-to-face relationship with the toxic person that’s sprung to mind, but they can still drain you. Social media can be a great thing if you follow the right people. 

Likewise, it can take its toll on your mental health if it’s littered with people that make you feel self-conscious, unworthy or that you can’t help but compare yourself to (even if what they’re portraying is a life through rose-tinted glasses...). So, take a look through your following list and don’t be afraid to ‘unfollow’.

RE-EVALUATE YOUR INNER (AND OUTER) CIRCLE

There’s plenty of perks that come from adult life, but there’s also a heap of tough stuff to deal with. In the next few years, your network will likely shift around. This is a perfect time to work out who you can depend on and who you wouldn’t mind ditching as your lives go in separate directions.

DON’T WANT TO CUT THEM OUT? 

Fair enough, everyone has their flaws! Take a different approach. Test them by shifting your behaviour. Learn how to say no to things you don’t want to do. Does that change your relationship dynamics for the better? It doesn’t have to be a drastic change, but it could make all the difference.

If you’re struggling with your mental health and wellbeing, remember you can always seek professional support from Mind.