Ah, yes, ignorance is bliss. Especially when you’re getting very comfortable in a very uncomfortable relationship. You’ve probably encountered at least one in your lifetime: a toxic friendship, or a toxic romantic relationship. Either way, they’re stressful, and sometimes you don’t even realize that the relationship is as suffocating as it is!

It’s easy to turn a blind eye to something drastic rather than face it head on. I’ve been there done that. I’ve had my fair share of toxic relationships, and let me be among the many to say: It’s okay to walk away from toxic people. It’s okay to let go of people. It’s hard, I get that. Once you have a close connection with someone, you deal with the good and the bad, but sometimes the bad begins to harm you.

It’s okay to leave situations in which you are the butt of the joke, where you feel consistently blatantly disrespected, when someone hurts you --you get the idea.

It’s simple to talk yourself into staying around someone, and it’s even easier to convince yourself that the problem is you. Or even that there isn’t a problem at all! The fact of the matter is: Sometimes two people are not well off together. They just aren’t. You cannot force connection, and you cannot force happiness. Saying you’re happy, and being it are two different things.

Above all else, you have to trust the people you trust, and those you love around you. If they think that something is off about someone in your life then, chances are, there just might be something off. And something that you just may be blind to.

You cannot blissfully cuddle up with manipulation. You can pretend to paint a picture of perfection, but it’s not the same as something actually pure. You cannot excuse toxicity.

And you cannot continue to make excuses for someone who might make your life absolutely miserable one day, but wonderful the next; you live for the positive days, but dread the negative ones. But you shouldn’t have to clench up, and hold your breath on what kind of day it might be.

It’s hard to confront conflict, but it is most definitely necessary --especially if it involves your wellbeing. Do not accept being taken for granted; do not accept being treated for less than you are.

At the end of the day, it’s not worth your mental health (or physical is some instances). So prioritize yourself for just one split second to surround yourself with people who uplift you --instead of bringing you down.