This is the first reflex to adopt and yet, certain circumstances can make taking a distance complicated or even impossible. In practice, it is necessary, as much as possible, to limit contacts, meetings and services rendered. We give less news, we take more time to respond to requests, we find excuses to avoid spending time with the person who keeps us in his grip … They will eventually get bored and the relationship will end smoothly . The further we move away, the more we feel that the person has less power over us and that it becomes easier to let go.

We always say that we attract people who are a reflection of ourselves and our beliefs. In other words, if someone succeeds in holding us under their control, it is because there is a loophole in us. Lack of self-confidence, fear of the gaze of others, need to be loved… These are all elements that make the person in front of us feel that they could easily draw us into their nets. Because yes, that sort of thing is felt. It therefore seems important to ask the question of the origin of our weaknesses in order to be able to work on them. It is only by strengthening your character and your convictions that you will succeed in detaching yourself from the psychological hold of which you are the victim. A follow-up by a psychologist or a psychotherapist can prove to be necessary and beneficial.

When you are under the psychological influence of someone, it is difficult to oppose and assert yourself. However, learning to say no is one of the fundamental keys to successfully taking a step back and freeing yourself since a strong person no longer has an interest in a persecutor. You have to start by stopping constantly justifying yourself with phrases like “I’m sorry, I can’t have lunch with you because I have too much work”, “I can’t answer your call because I’m busy “. Stop! If there is one attitude to forget about toxic people, this is it because it gives them all the more power. So, in the future, we will simply refuse politely, without specifying why. Little by little, we will realize that we are not risking much by daring to say no and that it is even liberating! But be careful, the objective is to hold out without the duration to remain credible.

Read also: Toxic relationships: how to get over it in three stages?