Have you ever functioned as another individual's cigarette?
In a series of insightful discussions, specialists have highlighted the importance of emotional health and setting boundaries in maintaining healthy relationships. Tatiana Lagoa, a journalist, emphasized the power of saying "this doesn't make me feel good, I'm leaving" as a choice of Generation Z, although this particular topic was not discussed in the context of her comments.
Toxic relationships often disguise themselves as caring or demonstrate good intentions, but beneath the surface, they can be harmful. Psychologist Jailton Souza warns that toxic relationships can arise when we project our emotional gaps onto others, making us available for others to manipulate us to satisfy their ego.
One of the signs of a toxic relationship is overprotectiveness, which can manifest as constant monitoring or controlling behavior, often justified as a way to "protect" the partner. This can lead to isolation and loss of personal freedom. Emotional manipulation is another common sign, with tactics like guilt-tripping, gaslighting, or playing the victim designed to make you question your own judgment or feel responsible for the partner's emotions.
Conditional love, image management, isolation tactics, financial control, constant communication, love-bombing, entitlement, and coercive control are other signs of toxic relationships. These behaviors can be subtle and recognizing them is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships.
Jailton Souza encourages us to take responsibility for our emotional well-being and learn to be alone. He suggests that when we get tired of being alone, we should look for someone to complete us, not to diminish us. Thalita Martins, a journalist, questioned the ability of Generation Z to set boundaries against dissatisfactions, but she also encouraged resilience, as shown by her goddaughter who chose to stay abroad playing football despite suffering in a hostile environment.
The specialists' conclusions suggest that emotional health is crucial for maintaining relationships and that vulnerability can make individuals more susceptible to manipulation. They warn that the emptier a person is, the more manipulable they become, and that we should complete each other in something, not to empty us so that we don't feel the lack of who we were or who we used to be. It is important to remember that saying "this doesn't make me feel good, I'm leaving" is a powerful tool in maintaining emotional health and setting boundaries in relationships.
Science and mental-health professionals have cautioned that emotional health is essential for cultivating healthier relationships, as vulnerability can increase susceptibility to manipulation. It's suggested that emotional gaps may be projected onto others, leading to toxic dynamics such as manipulation or coercive control (science). In this context, Generation Z's power phrase, "this doesn't make me feel good, I'm leaving," serves as a tool for maintaining emotional well-being and setting boundaries within relationships (lifestyle and relationships). Maintaining individual self-care, particularly when it comes to emotional health, is crucial for resisting toxic influences and fostering health-and-wellness in personal connections.
