How To Leave A Toxic Relationship: Stop, Drop and Roll

We all know the phrase "stop, drop, and roll" and what it means. But did you know that you can use it to help you get out of a relationship with a toxic person?

If your clothing catches on fire, STOP what you're doing, DROP to the ground and ROLL until the flames are out. This catchy phrase can help protect you from being badly burned. You can also use the same technique to protect yourself against toxic people by applying it to your relationships.

We've all been there: you're with your friends, and you're having a great time. Suddenly, one of them says something that's totally out of line. You don't say anything, but they keep going. Then they say something else—and you know it's not right, but you just can't seem to find the words to stop them. 

Being in toxic relationships is hard. Toxic people aren’t always easily identified, and it can take time to realize someone is not healthy to be around. By then, there’s an emotional investment that can make it hard to change the relationship.

STOP engaging in the toxic behavior. If you’ve tried redirecting, distracting, and avoiding toxic people, there may come a time when you simply must stop engaging in the toxic behavior once and for all. It may require a confrontation or abandoning the relationship altogether. If you can’t avoid or redirect the toxic person, it may be in your best interest to leave the relationship behind. Stop engaging in the toxic behavior and stand up for your desire to be healthy.

Here are some key points to consider:

Recognize the Severity: Before taking this step, carefully assess the severity of the toxic behavior and its impact on your mental and emotional health. If the toxicity is extreme, harmful, or poses a serious threat to your well-being, ending the relationship may be the best course of action.

Prioritize Your Well-being: Your mental and emotional well-being should be your top priority. It's essential to recognize when a relationship or interaction is detrimental to your health and take steps to protect yourself.

Set Clear Boundaries: If you choose to confront the toxic individual or discuss the issue, be prepared to set clear boundaries and communicate your needs assertively. Clearly express your desire for a healthier and more respectful interaction.

DROP any habits that encourage or enable the behavior. It’s important to check yourself and make certain you aren’t contributing the problem. Toxic behavior can be contagious and it’s possible that you are participating or enabling the toxicity that’s going on. Sometimes your actions are a contribution and other times your silence or failure to address the toxicity is perpetuating the issues. Drop any habits you have that contribute or encourage the toxic behavior.

Here are some key points to consider:

Self-Reflection: Take the time to self-reflect and examine your own behavior and actions in the context of the toxic relationship or environment. Be honest with yourself about any habits or behaviors that may be inadvertently supporting or enabling the toxicity.

Identify Contributing Habits: Be specific about the habits or behaviors that may be contributing to the toxic dynamic. This can include participating in gossip, tolerating disrespectful behavior, or failing to address issues when they arise.

Seek Feedback: It can be helpful to seek feedback from trusted friends or colleagues who can provide an objective perspective on your behavior in relation to the toxic situation. They may offer insights you haven't considered.

ROLL away from the situation. Whether it’s leaving the conversation or the situation for a moment or breaking off the relationship entirely, it’s important to disengage. You can “leave” a situation figuratively or literally. Roll away from toxic debates, conversations, or situations by refusing to engage in the behavior. You may have to remove yourself from the person or the situation physically as well. Leaving the situation in the moment or breaking off a relationship because it’s toxic sends the clear message that you will not tolerate the behavior in your life.

Here are some key points to consider:

Recognize the Need to Disengage: Understand when it's necessary to disengage from a toxic situation. This decision should be based on the severity and persistence of the toxic behavior, as well as its impact on your mental and emotional health.

Choose the Appropriate Form of Disengagement: Depending on the circumstances, disengagement can take various forms. It may involve physically leaving a toxic environment or situation, such as walking away from a toxic conversation or removing yourself from a toxic relationship.

Communicate Your Decision: In some cases, it's beneficial to communicate your decision to disengage with the toxic person. Explain your reasons calmly and assertively. Be clear about your boundaries and expectations moving forward.

It’s important to recognize when a relationship has become unhealthy so that you can start working towards healthier ways of relating.

Toxic people can be dangerous to your mental and physical health.

When you're around someone who is toxic, you're at risk of experiencing abuse, depression, and other mental health issues. Sometimes it's necessary to leave a toxic relationship in order to stay healthy. We recommend the stop, drop, and roll method:

Once we stop participating in the unhealthy behavior around us, we free ourselves from other people’s negativity and allow our own positivity to shine through!