Next, we have people-pleasing tendencies. You may focus on making others happy and sacrifice your own needs in the process. Toxic individuals take advantage of this behavior because they know your boundaries are malleable. You’re not likely to say no, and this weakens your self-esteem and confidence, leading to more people-pleasing behavior, all to your detriment.
Another major factor to consider is attachment styles. You might have an anxious attachment style, which leads you to cling to relationships even when they are harmful due to a fear of abandonment and a deep-seated need for approval. Conversely, those with avoidant attachment styles may attract partners who are overtly needy or controlling, reinforcing their belief that intimacy is unsafe. If you fall into either of these attachment categories, consider that this could explain why toxic individuals are drawn to you; ultimately, they may be exploiting you psychologically and emotionally.
Familiarity with dysfunction is another critical factor. If you grew up witnessing dysfunctional relationships, you may find that when someone treats you poorly, it feels familiar, and you may believe you don’t deserve any better. This creates a sense of comfort in chaos, making it difficult for you to recognize when you need to make changes and understand that the behavior is abusive, causing emotional trauma. You may equate this dysfunctional love with a sense of normalcy, which makes it hard to recognize when you need to leave such relationships.
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