Unfortunately, at some point in our lifetime, we have been surrounded by toxic people. How do you deal with them? How can you identify them in the first place? Looking forward to your words of wisdom!! —Naive.
What We're Sippin': Moscow Mule
Unlike most detox drink solutions, ours excludes the Apple Cider Vinegar (gross) and is just as fun to prepare as it is to drink. Given that this issue touches on relationships both romantic and platonic, we wanted to recommend a perfect combination of a "beer" and a liquor. The ginger in the ginger beer acts as a digestive, clearing your intestines (and your heart and soul) of food (and people) toxins. The vodka obviously has a healing power all its own.
Where We're Sippin': On an outdoor balcony. A place where you feel both isolated from others but present with your own thoughts.
Mother Teresa
I think it’s important first to understand what exactly a toxic person is and why someone would be considered “toxic” in the first place… A toxic person is someone who, like a toxin, is poisonous to your well-being, both inside or out. Like many poisonous substances, toxic people are hard to identify from the get-go. Here is where you need to look not so much towards them, but towards yourself. How do you feel when you are with this potentially-toxic person? Do they lift you up or bring you down? Do you feel inspired or drained after sharing a meal with them? If you are unhappy, sad, overwhelmed or depressed by the time your interaction with this person is over, it’s time to consider this person “toxic.”
The best way, I think, to avoid toxic people or toxic relationships (be it personal or professional,) is to treat it like the plague the moment you realize it is harmful for you. In other words, get the heck out of there. The hardest part is often identifying who these people are or where these feelings of harm are coming from. Once you’ve done that, you have to fight for yourself. You have to choose your feelings of support, love, inspiration and overall well-being over the feelings of this other person.
Ginger Ále
While I agree with (and give an extra cheers to!) Mother Teresa’s use of a more scientific definition, I do think it’s important to acknowledge that toxicity can also arise over time as one’s surroundings, life cycles, and experiences change. People change and environments change and both can do so almost symbiotically. So, what once was a very supportive relationship or environment could just as easily evolve into something that actually detracts from your wellbeing. I would consider this a type of toxicity as well.
Mother Teresa
Isn’t that a little extreme? I think people that were once toxic will always be toxic. Maybe your generation is a little too quick to label everything….
Ginger Ále
And I feel like your generation doesn’t have enough labels! Which causes you to see or accept things as either black or white, right or wrong, toxic or supportive, with no regard for range.
Mother Teresa
Hmm *sips*
Ginger Ále
*sips with side eye* However, I do agree with the importance of checking in with yourself and asking yourself the same questions Mother Teresa has previously posed. How does this person make you feel? Would you introduce this person or share this relationship with those you find to be extremely uplifting? How would they feel about this person or relationship? Think of it like taking your temperature. Toxins can (generally) always be dealt with; they just need to be detected first.
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