Is there someone in your life who makes you feel bad about yourself, gossips, always talks with a negative tone, and takes every single chance they have to use you?
If there is, then you are dealing with a toxic person whose intentions are far from genuine.
Unfortunately, most of us struggle with toxic individuals on a daily basis. It’s those little souls whose only goal is to take advantage of your kindness. And when you no longer serve them, they act as if you never existed… Until the next time they need your help.
Luckily, there are ways you can get rid of their toxicity without falling down to their level. Intelligent people, for example, are perhaps the best at tackling toxic individuals, as they know how to stand their ground and protect themselves from the negative influence.
Here are 8 must-know things intellectuals do when dealing with toxic people:
1. They know how to say no.
Saying no when something does not serve you or crosses a line is an essential skill most intelligent people have mastered. And, frankly, sometimes being straightforward with toxic people and cutting them off is the only way to deal with them. Defending your personal boundaries is much more valuable than pleasing someone’s temporary wishes.
2. They are aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
Knowing your weak spots, as well as your qualities, gives you a better understanding of who you are and what kind of energy you need in your life. Keep in mind that toxic people usually have no respect for others and will try to violate your boundaries whenever it suits their goals. This means you should be aware at any time that such an individual may strike you where it hurts the most. When that happens, you should use your strengths to protect yourself and let that person know they have no right to mistreat you.
3. They know when it’s time to assert distance.
Distancing yourself from the toxic people in your life is crucial for your mental health. When someone’s presence does more harm to you than brings value to your life, it is time to separate yourself from them. Perhaps they would keep seeking your company, trying to gain something from you. However, you should be true to your own needs and let them know they cannot use you whenever they want.
4. They are not afraid to stand their ground.
When distancing yourself from the toxic individual in your life doesn’t work, you should try confronting them. Be clear about the way their actions make you feel. Let them know their words overwhelm you. And if you have decided to cut them off entirely, tell them exactly why. It will surely be challenging, but once you let it all out, you will feel liberated.
5. They are solution-focused.
Bottling up your emotions and forcing yourself to be polite with this person, even though they drive you insane, is not how you should deal with their toxicity. Instead, you should be more solution-focused and work on figuring out how to stop their negativity affect you.
6. They plan their reactions.
Toxic people have behavioral patterns you can easily recognize. If you have been dealing with one for a while now, then you definitely know what to expect from them. Therefore, you can use that knowledge to plan the way you would react to their attitude. And as you do, don’t forget to stick to that plan when they hit you up with yet another energy-draining request.
7. They block the negativity.
When you confront a toxic person, you don’t have to respond with the same negative energy. Because doing so will drag you down to their level, and you will be no different than them. To avoid that, stop the negative talk and try to bring positive vibes into the conversation. If it doesn’t work, simply change the subject. Whatever you decide to do, keep calm and don’t let them infect you with their toxicity.
8. They don’t hesitate whenever they need help.
Reaching out to someone when a toxic individual tries to suck the energy out of you is not a sign of weakness. It takes courage to admit you need help. So if a coworker makes you feel uncomfortable, try asking another colleague for support. If a friend acts emotionally abusive towards you, get in touch with a mutual friend who can talk to them. In case it’s a toxic family member you are dealing with, ask someone of your relatives you are close to to give you a hand. You don’t have to handle everything on your own.
Do you deal with toxic people as an intellectual would do? Would you like to add something to the list? Let us know in the comment section!