

In all types of nature, whether man or animal, it is the parent's responsibility to teach their young how to live. When a youngling needs to walk, their arms are held as they are guided in step. When a youngling needs to communicate, words are sound out or other forms of communication are taught. When the youngling needs to eat, they are taught ways to make sure they grow healthy and strong. No matter the situation, parents are constantly teaching their offspring, in a hope that they will survive long enough to do the same.
Teaching children about the ways of life is instinctual. It is proprietorial. It is necessary.
Yet, in this insistent need to ensure the survival of children, parents most often forget to teach the most vital thing in life. The thing human beings crave so desperately they spend their whole lives searching for it. Often finding it in the worst, darkest places. Parents often forget to teach their children how to love and how to be loved.
As people, we are never explicitly taught how to love. Instead, we are expected to take on the world with the hopes that we will "know it when we feel/see it". Or that it'll play out like the rom-com we memorized as kids, or the song that we couldn't but fall in love with. As a result, this desperate need to be loved, results in 1 of 3 young people falling into an unhealthy, toxic relationship. Which results in far worse outcomes on the physical and mental health.
Signs Your Relationship Is Toxic
To ensure that you are in the most healthy relationship possible, check out the top ten identifiers of a toxic relationship that you might've mistaken for love.
Intensity
When a new relationship begins, everything feels like you're on top of the world. Everything your partner does is seen with the brightness of the sun, covered by the smell of lilacs and daisies. After a couple of weeks of dating, that brightness dims and the smell fades, but the view still remains lovely. In relationships with intensity, that's not exactly the same painted picture; instead, those relationships with strange intensity go from 0 to 60 on a European bullet train.
The excited feelings associated with the bright sun and encompassing lilacs and daisies are overtaken by a sense of being overwhelmed. Everything in the relationship seems to be going too fast and despite your insistent foot on the brakes, it picks up speed. Before you know it, they're saying "I love you" on your third date. Three months in, they are talking about moving in when you are still deciding how to be with them.
You're not on the same page, or even in the same book. And your partner refuses to give you the necessary chapters to catch up.
Yes, relationships are intense in the beginning. Anything new is, but it's about how the relationship evolves not how it starts. If the relationship evolves from excitement to overwhelmed and chaotic, consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Isolation
Isolation is one of the easiest ways to be pulled into a toxic relationship, mainly because it goes unnoticed until it is too late. At first, the relationship started off with a designated day when you would spend time with your partner. It was a day that you two planned with one another in hopes of making time. Then, that one day becomes another. Then, another. Then...soon you forgot what it was like to hang with your friends. And when they want to schedule time to hang out, your schedule is booked for months with only your partner in mind.
In more extreme cases, spending less time together could create issues between you and your partner, so much so that you succumb to the isolation to avoid confrontation. In even more extreme cases, sometimes that partner does something drastic, like move the two of you to a new city. Family is forgotten. Friends are lost. You're tethered to your partner without another support system in sight.
Don't get me wrong. Scheduling time with your partner is essential, but scheduling all your time with your partner is another thing. Especially if they're constantly requesting it, and guilt you the one time you claim your independence. Being around your partner is important, but having your independence and a life outside of them is important, as well. When your partner chooses to monopolize all of your time, consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Extreme Jealousy
In extreme jealousy, your partner becomes more demanding. Like a ward, they want to control: what you wear, how you choose to style your hair, how much makeup you can have on, even who you talk to or spend time with. Every second of your day becomes monitored. As if on probation, you must explain every action you make and every action someone makes onto you.
Mistrust seeps in and it seems that no matter what you do, you're at fault.
It's your fault you're so desirable. Your fault someone else is attracted to you. Your fault for their insecurity which has led to their over-the-top jealously. The truth is: it is not. Their unnecessary jealousy resides in their insecurity, not yours. If you have given them no reason to distrust, it is not your responsibility to ensure that trust remains consistent. It's theirs. When you partner starts displaying extreme jealousy, consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Berating/Belittling Behavior
In toxic relationships, it is common for berating and belittlement to sneak into everyday language. Words that used to envelop you in warmth and comfort, now cut like a knife. Words are used as weapons to make you feel less than and insecure. Either shouted to you or spoken to you calmly, they leave you feeling less like yourself and more like a punching bag. When addressed, they accuse you of misunderstanding their intentions and being sensitive to their humor. You never deserve to be berated or treated like you're worthless. When your partner starts displaying berating and belittling behavior, consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Volatility
In toxic relationships, volatility appears in several stages. First, everything is an upward roller-coaster of good vibes, before quickly plummeting into a downward spiral. Only to repeat over and over again. In relationships with volatility, you are just as likely to break up as you are to get back together. Arguments occur almost every day and apologies/promises are given without the intention of a follow-through.
The most unfortunate thing about volatile relationships is that if in it for too long, one could begin to crave it.
Sensing that a relationship has gone well for too long, leaves those in toxic relationships to seek the discomfort. Often creating confrontation for the sake of confrontation. When your relationship starts displaying volatile characteristics, consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Negative Financial Behaviors
"My hard-earned money is my own. Your hard-earned money is also my own."
This is the philosophy of a person in a toxic relationship with negative financial behaviors. They want to control what you do with your money while spending their own carelessly. When they use all of their funds, it's your job to provide for their unhealthy habit and nothing else. They must see where every piece of your money goes while ignoring the true hypocrisy of it all.
Often, they force you to take on financial responsibilities you were not responsible for creating. In addition, they leave you dependent on them when the truth is they depend on you. Eventually, you become dependent on them and the vicious cycle repeats. When your relationship starts displaying negative financial behaviors, consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Dishonesty/"Gaslighting"
Sing it with me: "Why you always lying? Why you always lying? Oooo Oh my god! Stop f-"
Most toxic relationships are built on the foundation of lies. Whether dressed up in something beautiful or showing its true face, dishonesty is as important to a toxic relationship as the air one breathes. As if a reflex, partners lie to one another about their whereabouts, infidelity, and much more for the sake of doing so. Then, if they are caught, they throw it back in your face. You're completely wrong. Or you're imagining things. You're behaving too sensitively. You're misunderstanding everything that was said.
Dishonesty is their first language and gaslighting is their second. And it makes you feel...uneasy, uncertain, paranoid, and crazy.
You stop trusting your own judgment, despite your judgment being the actual truth. Listen to your gut, and follow what you know instead of what you hope for. The lies don't hold up when you stop giving it the power to. When your relationship starts displaying dishonesty or "gaslighting", consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Lack of Support
In a healthy relationship, your partner is your biggest cheerleader. Always the support system, they encourage you to face your fears and push you to strive to be the best. A good partner helps you achieve your goals. A good partner gives honesty and provides the shoulder for you to cry on.
In a toxic relationship, it is naturally the opposite. Instead of a cheerleader, they become your enemy. Your partner becomes the number one obstacle in your way. They insist that they help you climb the highest mountains and push the first chance they get. They are often the reason why you're crying and they are often nowhere to be found when you need help. Their support comes with conditions and, no matter what, you'll never be able to pay it. When your relationship lacks support or has support with condition, consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Chronic Stress and Anxiety
The world is filled with various forms of stress and anxiety. Between work, upholding friendships, necessities, health, families, and whatnot, chronic stress is inevitable. Though, it shouldn't be in your relationship.
If the idea of being with your partner does not bring you peace, consider finding peace elsewhere. Relationships are hard, but it shouldn't be to the point that it brings you stress and anxiety.
You shouldn't fear the person you're with or find them draining. If that is the case, is the relationship truly worth holding onto? The idea of relationships is to find someone who brings you peace and happiness. Don't settle for chronic stress and anxiety when there are other options. When your relationship is filled with chronic stress and anxiety, consider the healthiness of your relationship.
Physical Violence
Physical violence is never acceptable or warranted. Everyone deserves to be safe within their home and within their relationships. If your relationship exhibits physical violence, no matter how extreme, consider consulting a specialist. With the assistance of the specialist, they can consult you on safe ways to leave the home. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which can help victims and survivors of domestic violence: 1-800-799-7233.
If any of the above characteristics are displayed within your relationship, consider calling a specialist to determine the healthiest way to leave your situation (1-800-799-7233). Our parents might not have taught us how to effectively love, but this does not mean we have to accept love in any and every form.
Featured image by Shutterstock
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Colman Domingo’s Career Advice Is A Reminder That Our Words Shape Our Reality
When it comes to life, we are always here for a good reminder to shift our mindsets, and Colman Domingo just gave us one we didn't know we needed.
In a resurfaced clip from an appearance at NewFest shared as a repost via Micheaux Film Festival, the Emmy award winner dropped a gem on how he has navigated his decades-spanning career in Hollywood. The gem in question? Well, Colman has never identified with "struggle" in his career. Let that sit.
Colman Domingo On Not Claiming Struggle
"I’ve never said that this career was tough. I’ve never said it was difficult. I’ve never said it was hard," Colman said. "Other people would say that—‘oh, you're in a very difficult industry. It's very hard to get work and book work.’ I’m like, I’ve never believed that."
Instead of allowing himself to be defined by other people's projections about their perceptions of what the industry is or was, Colman dared to believe differently even if his reality was playing catch up with his dreams:
"Like Maya Angelou said words are things. And if you believe that, then that's actually what it is. Actually I've just never believed it. Someone told me some years ago, they said, 'I remember you were, you're a struggling actor.' I'm like, 'I don't.'"
"I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living..."
He continued:
"Even when I was bartending and hustling and not having opportunities or anything, I never believed that I was struggling because I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living and creating and being curious."
Colman’s philosophy of attaching to living instead of struggle has blossomed into an enduring career. He first made his mark on stage in acclaimed Broadway productions before transitioning to the screen, where his star began to rise in the 2010s following his role as Victor Strand in Fear The Walking Dead. From there, his presence only grew, landing memorable supporting roles in If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and the hit series Euphoria.
In more recent years, Colman has stepped fully into the spotlight with standout leading performances in Rustin and Sing Sing, both of which earned him widespread critical acclaim and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor.
With all that said, Colman's advice is no doubt powerful, especially for those who are chasing their dreams, building something from the ground up, or have question marks about what's next in their careers. Words shape our realities, and how we speak about our journeys even in passing matters.
Words Create Our Reality & Colman Is Living Proof
"I tell young people that. To remember the words that you say about yourself and your career are true. So, I choose to make it full of light and love and it's interesting and every day I'm going to learn something new even if it looks like I don't have what I want but it's important to be in the moment... you really build on the moments moment to moment.
"And you're looking back at your career as I've been in it for what 33 years and you're like, 'Wow, that's what I've been doing.' And I've stayed strong to that so I think that is truly my advice."
Let this be your sign to give your path a reframe. When the path you're on feels uncertain, the journey is still unfolding. Like Colman said: "I wasn't attached to a struggle. I was attached to living."
That's a Black king right there.
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