By Shreya Raj Dubey

When we say the word ‘love’ we automatically start imagining those flying hearts, rainbows and unicorns, at the same time, some people might cringe at the thought of the same. Well, love indeed is a beautiful feeling but sometimes we give in so much that we stop differentiating between what is love and what is toxic.

So what is a toxic relationship exactly? Have you been in a relationship where nothing’s going right and you still can’t leave? Where neither staying nor leaving helps and even if you leave you somehow get back together? Have you found yourself feeling guilty all the time for something you didn’t realize you did? Do you have this constant feeling that you are solely responsible for making or breaking the relationship? Is being together hampering both of your personal/professional life? 

If you get more than two yes then I am sorry to let you know that you are in a toxic relationship.

Here I’ll list out 5 reasons why you are not able to let each other go:

• You have been together for too long.

Maybe you guys are childhood lovebirds, or have known each other for so long that being without each other doesn’t seem like an option anymore. Well, sorry to burst that bubble for you but sometimes even if you have known the person since childhood, they grow up to be a completely different person and that’s where the problem starts. You fell in love with the other version not this and this won’t change no matter how much you want it to.

• You think you can fix it.

No! Sorry again but some things just cannot be fixed, you can’t change a person and force them to be someone else, this would only worsen the situation. It’s better to be with someone whom you can accept wholeheartedly and vice versa.

• You keep living in the PAST.

As said, the past can be a beautiful place to visit but the worst place to live in. Whenever you think of ending stuff you find your heart wandering back to questions like why and how it started. Well, it sure can be exhausting but walking past that feeling is the best that you can do.

• You think that this is the only way…

I know you’ve been telling yourself that this is how relationships are, every relationship has got problems and blah blah blah. Trust me, this ain’t how this is supposed to be. There is a huge difference between fighting and disrespecting. So remember, no guy or girl in this world is worth treading your self respect for.

• You are afraid of what’s next.

This is the final and the biggest reason for not being able to let go. You know you should move on but your heart keeps telling your mind that you are not ready to be alone. Trust me, there just won’t be any good time for it, and neither any kind of shortcut. You will feel alone, you will want to go back to them at first, but slowly you will realize how good it was for your mental health and growth to let go of that toxic relationship.

So, if you are going through this mess, you know what to do now. Pack your bags and head out to the world that’s waiting to see how amazing you are, go on a solo vacation, look out for that job that you wanted, give yourself a makeover, party with your friends. Do anything and everything that makes you happy.