Are there toxic people or just toxic behaviors? Well, whatever the truth might be, you need to recognize toxic behaviors early enough to save yourself from trouble. People who are behaving in toxic ways are often wounded, don’t have a clear perception and control over their lives, so they use mind games to get what they want. There’s only one way you can win their game: don’t play it.
Everyone has a person in their life whose behavior is toxic. You need to be smart not to let toxic people get to you. They might leave you emotionally hurt if you get involved in their game.
So, here are nine effective ways in which you can deal with them once and for all.

1. SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES

Toxic people love to complain. They’re always exposing their problems to you because they want you to pity them. That way they feel valued and important. You can often find yourself listening to their complaints patiently because it’s rude for you to tell them to shut up.
Still, you should always set some limits on what you will and what you will not tolerate. Don’t be sympathetic and polite if the conversation leaves you drained, tired, and full of negativity. Try to distance yourself from such situations for your own good.

2. IGNORE THEM

Toxic people like to be at the center of attention. When they’re at a party or any social event – they love it when the focus is on them. The best way to face them is not to give them what they want. Ignore their need for attention by simply not paying attention to them at all.
A toxic person will often insult or belittle others to make themselves better. They’d say something like “I would never wear that.” Simply ignore them.

3. LET THEM EXPOSE THEMSELVES

If you’re in the presence of a toxic person and you know that they are lying to you – let them lie. It’d never work to try to prove them wrong and expose their lies.
The best you can do is not care about their lies. Since you know the truth, let them have their lies. Do not waste your time and energy confronting them. Just let them say what they’re going to say and expose themselves.

4. DON’T TRUST THEM

Toxic people like to be interesting all the time. They’d share their deepest secrets or gossip about somebody to be the center of attention.
Do not expose your secrets to them because they’ll probably betray you and talk about you just as they talk about others in front of you.

5. LET THEM KNOW WHEN THEY’RE WRONG

Toxic people are the masters of blaming others. They never see fault in their actions; only the others make mistakes. They’ll always find an excuse to put the blame fon someone else.
But, you are smarter than that. Don’t let toxic people blame you for their mistakes. Make it clear to them that you’re not a fool and you will not accept this kind of behavior.

6. STOP TRYING TO PLEASE THEM

It’s natural for a toxic person to one day be all happy and sweet to you, and the following day to stop talking to you, leaving you wondering what you did wrong. Toxic people know that a nice person like you will go to any lengths to make their friend/partner feel good.
Don’t let them use you for their benefits. If they reply ‘nothing’ when you ask them what is wrong, just leave them. Toxic people usually change their mood to get what they want by letting you guess what you did wrong. Don’t play that game.

7. DO NOT GET INVOLVED IN THEIR DRAMA

Toxic people love causing arguments. They especially enjoy it when everybody picks their side and agrees with them. Nevertheless, engaging in an argument with a toxic person is tricky because you can almost never win.
What you should do is avoid engaging yourself in an argument with a toxic person at all. If somehow you find yourself in such situation, just walk away and say that you aren’t interested in fighting with them. Remember, not your monkeys, not your circus, right?

8. RISE ABOVE THEM

You can’t win in a toxic person’s game. Therefore, don’t waste your precious time in trying. You can only distance yourself physically and emotionally from them.
That way you can stop them from causing you any pain or emotional damage.

9. KEEP THEM OUT OF YOUR LIFE

After all, there’s no need for you to have toxic people in your life. Don’t forget to end your friendship/relationship with them, and don’t be sentimental if you’ve known them for many years.
Some things in life have to end. A toxic friend is not a real friend so the best way to deal with them is to keep them out of your life.