Interesting Psychology Team
4 – Youβre Too Generous
Generosity is a positive characteristic, and you shouldnβt feel bad about being a giving person. Whether you offer up your time, talent, or resources to other people, you become a good role model for others, and you might attract a few toxic people too, especially if you give freely without being mindful of your boundaries.
Abusive people flock to generosity like a moth to a flame. They know that youβll give them the attention and emotional energy they desire, and you might even cater to their needs at your own expense. The bad news is that the more you give in, the more theyβll demand. You give them an inch; theyβll take a mile. To avoid being stuffed full of resentment and bitterness, establish and reinforce your boundaries by saying no more often.
5 – You Are Trusting And Honest With Your Dreams
People who are passionate and energetic tend to attract toxic people. Thatβs because toxic individuals want to drag you down. Toxic people often give up on their dreams out of fear. When they see you living life in a way that they desire and believe is impossible, they seek the satisfaction and validation of watching you fail.
If you open up about your ideas and goals, theyβll discourage you and break you down. Toxic people see successful and driven people as materialistic, selfish, and unrealistic and they wonβt hesitate to criticize you for it.
To avoid toxic people who want nothing more than to sink your ship, be intentional about who you surround yourself with. Choose to spend time with people who are like you. Passionate, motivated, and positive. And, moving forward, protect yourself from toxicity by not opening up to pessimistic or closed-minded people.
6 – Your View Of Human Nature Is Overly Positive
Most people can agree that humans are generally good, but thereβs always going to be at least one bad apple in the bunch. Some people, however, refuse to accept the dark realities of human nature. They believe that the bad apple can always be made good again, even when the situation is hopeless.
If you donβt accept things like deception, greed, and possessiveness for what they are, you likely hold onto unhealthy friendships or relationships hoping for change. And the chances are high that you brush off red flags like insults and continue to spend time with them. If that sounds like you, your tolerance for toxicity is high. Youβve likely had a lot of practice enduring abusive behavior, maybe because you didnβt realize what was happening.
Your positivity can put you at risk because it often brushes negative emotions like anxiety and anger under the rug. Donβt wait until the situation becomes unbearable. Instead, harness the power of your intuition. It could help you predict danger. Remain optimistic, but be realistic, too.
7 – You Have Emotional Baggage
Everyone has a past, and we all have emotional baggage that we carry from it. Whether that trauma comes from your childhood, past relationships, or challenging experiences- emotional baggage can make you feel insecure. And toxic people love vulnerability.
Theyβll use your scars as a tool to control you and use your insecurity against you. Donβt let a toxic person make you doubt your worth. Instead, work through your issues, whether that means by yourself, with a trustworthy friend, or talking to a professional. Move forward through life with security and strength because only you can protect yourself from toxic personalities.
The Main Takeaway
You might have noticed that the traits that attract toxic people tend to be positive. But you shouldnβt discount these characteristics. They make you who you are. What you should do, is be aware and be realistic.
There will always be toxic people out there, and youβre bound to run into them. When it happens, be ready. Protect yourself, and while youβre at it, set an example for the people in your life. When kept in check, your positivity can transform negative energy, helping those who mean well improve themselves, even if they have some toxic tendencies. And while youβll want to spend less time with people who display toxic traits, you can lead by example, at least for those who want to be better.
What are your experiences with toxic people? How do you cope with their behaviors?
Share your experiences in the comment below.
