I think everyone, in some point in their lives, has had a toxic relationship. Whether it be an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or a friend. These toxic relationship can teach us so many lessons and can help us to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

1) Be careful who you trust.

Sometimes when we meet someone who we instantly hit it off with, we tend to hold onto to this new found relationship. This can lead to us to trust them easily without knowing their true intentions. I'm not saying that you shouldn't trust anyone but just be aware of who the person is. If you hear things about the other person, take things into consideration and make your own impression of them. Sometimes it just takes a little bit for a person's true colors to come out.

2) Don't let others use you.

It can be hard to see when another person is using you, but after a while you begin to realize you are doing more for that person than they do for you. Once you realize that, try to change things up a bit. If you start saying no and stand up for yourself, see if they are still your friend. Some people are just using you and once you stand up for yourself, they no longer want to be around you.

3) Don't let them constantly bring you down.

If you are in a relationship with someone who is constantly trying to bring you down, you need to find someone who helps raise you up. I know it can be hard to break up with someone who you think you are "in love" with, but in the end, it can be the best decision ever. Your relationship should make you happy and not always make you sad or upset.

4) Sometimes you have to be single to find out who you truly are.

Being in a relationship can be fun and amazing, but when you are constantly fighting, sometimes it's best to leave. I know it's hard and you don't want to be single but you can work on yourself. When you're in a relationship, we tend to put our all into it and our partner. However, in the mist of the relationship, we can lose ourselves. We become consumes by the other person and who we are together that we no longer know who we are. By ending an unhealthy/toxic relationship, you can begin to re-find yourself. Do things that you want to do but couldn't because of the other person's interests.

Not all relationships have untrustworthy people or those who just want to use you. Some relationships are amazing and can make you a better person. I know from experience that getting out of a toxic relationship is hard and it hurts. It takes a while to find out who you are again, but ends up being a great decision. I hope these lessons can help you realize if you are in a toxic relationship, and how you can get out and find who you are.