We all have toxic people in our lives. This fact is an undeniable truth of human existence. These individuals are the ones who bring us down rather than lift us up, who drain us of our energy rather than inspire us, who make us unhappy rather than happy when we are around them. In short, they suck the life out of us and leave us feeling depleted and emotionally exhausted.

The problem with toxic people is that they can be difficult to identify at first. They often come across as charming, charismatic, and engaging. They use their high energy and magnetic personalities to draw us in and make us feel like we are special to them. We might even think of them as friends, family members, or romantic partners. But over time, their true colors emerge, and we begin to see them for who they really are.

Identifying toxic people is essential for our well-being. Once we are able to recognize them, we can take steps to remove them from our lives. Here are 12 types of toxic people that we should look out for and avoid:

1. The Drama King/Queen

This is the person who thrives on drama. They are always stirring up trouble, creating tension, and causing chaos wherever they go. They love to manipulate others and use their emotional outbursts to get attention.

2. The Negative Nellie or Nelson

This person is always negative, never has anything positive to say, and never seems to be happy. They are the ones who rain on parades, criticize others’ accomplishments, and point out the flaws in everything.

3. The Unreasonable Boss

This boss is impossible to please, no matter what you do. They make unreasonable demands, throw tantrums when things don’t go their way, and belittle their subordinates in public.

4. The Person Who Won’t Shut Up

This person dominates conversations and never seems to stop talking. They email, message, and call you incessantly, bombarding you with their opinions, complaints, and gossip.

5. The Needy Person

This person can’t make decisions on their own and relies on you to do everything for them. They ask for favors, expect you to do their taxes or write their letters, and can’t even make a decision about what to wear without your input.

6. People Who Use You

These people only call you when they need something from you, whether it’s money, a favor, or help with a problem. They are not true friends but rather pseudo-friends who only use you for their own purposes.

7. People Who Do Not Respect You

These people lack respect for you and your opinions. They belittle you in public, embarrass you, and make it clear that they don’t value your thoughts or feelings.

8. People Who Hurt You

These individuals cause you physical or emotional pain. They may cancel plans at the last minute, exclude you from activities, or make promises they don’t keep. They may even inflict physical harm on you.

9. Backstabbers

These are the people who talk behind your back, spread rumors, and ruin reputations. They are not to be trusted and should be avoided at all costs.

10. People Who Want You In Your Old Box

These people cling to the past and don’t want you to grow or change. They want to keep you in the same place you were before, whether it’s a previous lifestyle, relationship, or situation.

11. The Space Holders

These people add no value to your life and are just there to take up space. They don’t participate in meaningful conversations, don’t offer support or advice, and don’t contribute anything positive to your life.

12. The Manipulators

These people use guilt, shame, or other tactics to get you to do what they want. They may manipulate you into doing something you don’t want to do, or they may manipulate others and draw you into their web of deceit.

Identifying toxic people is only the first step. We must also take action to remove them from our lives. This is not always easy, especially if these people are family members, romantic partners, or coworkers. However, it is essential for our well-being that we distance ourselves from those who drain us emotionally and leave us feeling depleted.

We can start by setting boundaries. We should establish what we are and are not willing to tolerate and communicate these boundaries to these individuals. We should also limit our exposure to them. We can choose not to answer their calls, emails, or messages, and we can avoid spending time with them. If necessary, we may need to seek the help of a therapist or counselor to help us navigate these difficult relationships.

Removing toxic people from our lives is not always easy, but it is essential for our health and happiness. It takes courage to walk away from those who have been a part of our lives for a long time, but in the end, it is worth it. We will emerge stronger, healthier, and happier because of it.