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  • As the main characters writing our own stories, we often feel like we're heroes combating everyday life events.

  • But one wrong turn or move and you can end up as the villain.

  • Sometimes we can repeat hurtful behavior without meaning to.

  • It doesn't mean you're a bad person, just human.

  • But self-awareness helps you get better.

  • Feeling like the mean spider bit you?

  • Here are seven surprising signs you're becoming toxic.

  • One: You can't seem to maintain relationships.

  • Ever wonder why your relationships always end up in the dumps?

  • It might have to do with toxic partners, or it might have to do with you.

  • Toxic relationships aren't always necessarily manipulative, controlling, and abusive.

  • Sometimes they stem from over-analysis.

  • Studies show that individuals with low self-esteem are more likely to expect rejection from their partner, and avoid telling their partner how they truly feel.

  • In this case, self-fulfilling prophecies win.

  • The more afraid you are that the relationship will fail, the more likely it will.

  • Two: You can't fully trust your friends and you drain them out.

  • Do you feel like you have more enemies than friends, or worse, are your friends just enemies in disguise?

  • Behavioral scientist Clarissa Silva says, we are supposed to be a better version of ourselves in our relationships, and support each other's goals, but when you're too busy making everything a competition...

  • No one wants to keep up with that attitude.

  • Instead, Silva states, you'll begin to drain people out rather than energizing them.

  • On top of that, with your obsession on surpassing them, you'll forget to provide the emotional support that your friends need.

  • Three: You apologize once in a blue moon.

  • Psychologists Abigail Brenner says that toxic people often claim the victim card, meaning that they seldom ever take accountability for their own actions.

  • When you have a hard time swallowing your pride and apologizing, this can truly sabotage your relationships.

  • In fact, researchers discovered that there are many benefits to the art of apologizing, such as stress relief and rekindling friendships.

  • When you don't say you're sorry, you miss out on understanding how you might have hurt someone.

  • It isn't too late now to say sorry.

  • Four: Drama follows you everywhere.

  • Do you have a habit of breaking promises or leaving others hanging?

  • Consistency is important, but when it isn't, serious consequences follow.

  • According to psychologist Perpetua Neo, bringing drama to the table, such as spreading rumors and starting fights, is a big red flag you're becoming toxic.

  • Is telling a grandiose story really more important than your friend's feelings?

  • Five: You're addicted to social media.

  • This is different from tuning in to the Psych-2-Go channel to watch our new uploads.

  • Who doesn't appreciate many likes on Facebook and Instagram?

  • But when your self-image becomes a bigger priority than staying present, that can lead to a bigger problem.

  • Dr. Sadie Letterelder says that letting technology get the best of you can make you accidentally be the toxic one in your relationship.

  • When you rely on an audience for validation, you also rely on social media for ego boosts.

  • This may cause others to resent you for having your eyes glued to your phone, rather than on them.

  • Six: You talk about people behind their backs.

  • High school drama sucks, and if you constantly talk about people behind their backs, it'll feel like you never left, even when you graduated.

  • You might think you're avoiding conflict when you complain on the down-low, but passive-aggressive behavior becomes a gateway to becoming toxic.

  • When you can't openly share your opinions with others in a healthy fashion, it only hurts them in the long run.

  • Even if you never meant to cause harm in the first place, people always have a way of finding out the truth.

  • Seven: You shut others out when their opinions differ from yours.

  • Dr. Brenner says that being judgmental is a common characteristic toxic people possess.

  • When you dominate the conversation and shut others out for having different thoughts, you end up marginalizing them.

  • Not acknowledging another side of the argument doesn't make you right, it just makes you close-minded.

  • Do you admit that you're becoming toxic, or knows someone who relates to these signs?

  • Please share your thoughts in the comments down below.

  • You can also join our community of Psych-2-Goers who help each other out in the comments.

  • Pressing subscribe really helps us out a lot, thanks so much for watching.

As the main characters writing our own stories, we often feel like we're heroes combating everyday life events.

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