top of page

How To Identify And Avoid Toxic Signs When Dating

Jun 20, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Jun 5, 2024

Written by: Monica Braun, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

Dating is a critical time for you to evaluate the traits that you desire most as well as what a healthy relationship looks and feels like. Use this time to discern what truly matters to you. Avoid toxic people at all costs, because they can deeply hurt you and cause negative ramifications throughout your life.


For this reason, it is important to learn about toxic signs. Pay close attention as you date, especially because some are not that obvious, but instead, extremely subtle.


Toxic signs

  • Significant negative effects on your mood and emotions

  • Anxiety to be around them or an unhealthy fear of their reactions

  • Warnings from family and friends

  • They avoid criticism or feedback or have an inability to look introspectively at themselves

  • They control or manipulate you and how you spend your time, who you spend your time with etcetera

  • They are emotionally abusive (want to control your emotions) such as name calling, insults etcetera

  • They “gaslight” you. Meaning, they blame you for your reactions even though they caused it.


Don’t be afraid to move on if you feel as if you are in a toxic relationship. Dating is a process that should help you grow as well as move forward with what feels right for you. Moving forward can be painful, however, it is way more painful to stay in a toxic relationship because it can affect your mental health and cause you unnecessary stress and turmoil.


On the other hand, a healthy and happy relationship should help you feel seen, heard and valued. It should be equal in terms of giving and receiving. You and your partner should become inspired to become your best selves together. Although there is no perfect relationship, a happy relationship is one in which two people are striving and growing together.

You are worthy of a healthy relationship that gives you joy and peace. Have high expectations and don’t give up until you have found a healthy and fulfilling relationship. It will be worth the wait!


Follow Monica on her Facebook and visit her website for more info.


Monica Braun, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Monica Braun is an international relationship coach. After being single for several years, she created strategies to transform her personal life from single to soulmate and is now happily married with a growing family. She has since created and implemented a program for other singles to attract a Spiritual and Emotional Companion through the Intentional Dating Process. She is the founder of Soul to Soul Coaching which includes personalized dating experiences that has helped several single clients become engaged and married. She has written the book “From Toxic to Soulmate Love,” a number 1 best seller on Amazon, and has dedicated her life to helping others attract the love of their lives.

This article is published in collaboration with Brainz Magazine’s network of global experts, carefully selected to share real, valuable insights.

Article Image

How Can You Notice Life's Small Transitions Before They Overwhelm You?

Most life transitions do not arrive all at once. They build quietly, one small shift at a time, while we are too busy to see them. Autumn offers a simple way to notice them sooner, so the bigger...

Article Image

The Success Trap That Takes You Further From Yourself

Success is supposed to be rewarding. We pursue it with determination, sacrifice for it, and measure our progress by how much of it we achieve. The promotion. The recognition. The impressive title. The thriving business.

Article Image

Climate Solutions Are Great Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

Climate solutions aren’t just environmental necessities, they’re rapidly becoming some of the most profitable business opportunities of our time. From clean energy to climate‑resilient infrastructure...

Article Image

How to Build a Professional Podcast Media Kit That Sells Sponsorships

If you're serious about attracting corporate sponsors, one of the most valuable marketing tools you can create is a professional podcast media kit. Think of your media kit as your podcast's sales brochure.

Article Image

The Side of Joy No One Talks About

Why joy can’t exist without contrast, and how embracing life’s full emotional range makes happiness more meaningful and lasting. Do you truly know what joy is? For a long time, I wasn’t sure I did...

Article Image

What If Your Child Chose You?

We spend so much time thinking about what we will teach our children. We imagine the values we will pass on, the opportunities we will offer, and the love that will help them feel safe in the world...

How Can You Notice Life's Small Transitions Before They Overwhelm You?

The Success Trap That Takes You Further From Yourself

Climate Solutions Are Great Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

How to Build a Professional Podcast Media Kit That Sells Sponsorships

The Side of Joy No One Talks About

What If Your Child Chose You?

When Your Values No Longer Fit and What Misalignment Can Reveal

Staying One Step Ahead of AI

The Loneliness of Being Easy to Love

bottom of page