That friend who always (and only) calls when they’re going through a breakup. A former colleague calling you on messenger when you need career advice (I’ve never heard how you’re doing). That cousin who turns to you for support during her troubled relationship won’t invite you to the wedding.
If you’re someone who is always selfless for others, congratulations, you may have fallen prey to an emotional vampire. Relentless and constant, sucking up every last reserve of your emotional energy and time.They face endless crises and are counting on you to support them. is a nationally acclaimed speaker, A woman’s guide to claiming space.
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Unfortunately, they say they listen to your advice, but they rarely do. Yet we cannot get support from them,” says Van Cort.
This can leave you feeling exhausted and stressed after spending hours on it. their problem. “Emotional vampires can be difficult to deal with, especially if they’re an important person in your life or an older relative,” Van Cort explains. . For millennials, this can even be a parent.
If this is happening to you, or has happened to you in the past, it’s time to put some sunshine on the sitch and stop those keeping Dracula’s dead in their orbit. You are no longer powerless in the dynamic, you have the right to set boundaries and stand firm,” she said.
Van Cort analyzed four ways to set boundaries with emotional vampirism.
Step 1: Predict
It’s time to listen to your gut. “You know that feeling of dread before dating an emotional vampire? Because you already know what’s going to happen,” explains Van Cort. “Use it to your advantage and anticipate it. Write a list of what the usual boundary-breaking behaviors are.”
You can’t control their behavior, but you can prepare a response. “Look at your list and decide what behaviors you will and will not tolerate,” she adds.
STEP2: Plan
Next, plan how you will respond if an emotional vampire inevitably checks off one of the behaviors on your “unacceptable” list. There are categories: behaviors that you will tolerate and behaviors that you will not tolerate. Decide ahead of time how you will handle both,” suggests Van Cort.
For example, one of the biggest forms of breaking boundaries with an emotional vampire involves asking prying questions. “If you’re an emotional vampire, have a phrase ready like, ‘That’s not what I want to talk about,’ and then change the subject,” she explains. get ready you In the familiar driver’s seat.
Another big thing emotional vampires do is talk endlessly about the latest issues when they don’t want to hear about you. “This can be exhausting…so remember, you have the right to say to them, ‘No, I’m not going to ask about this now,’ and move on,” she advises. To do.
STEP3: Question
Now that you have a plan, asks Van Cort, “Sit down and get yourself in line with your mind and heart. Are you really ready to execute the plan and stand your ground?” You know they are toxic.I can’t seem to stop responding to all of their endless calls and text messages.
If you’re not ready to do it, ask yourself these questions:
What do you look for in an emotional vampire?
Do you repeatedly allow boundaries to be broken because you’re looking for what you want but never get?
Knowing this, she says, will help you better understand why setting boundaries is difficult and better execute your plans.
Step 4: Change
After giving some serious thought to these questions, you may have to change your plans a bit, and that’s okay. “Do what you’re supposed to do,” says Van Cort. “Be kind to yourself. Even if you allow yourself to break boundaries, don’t treat it like a failed diet.” ‘Be aware that this is normal and then realize what you’re setting up next,’ she explains.
Your future self — the less stressed version of you who doesn’t fear the phone ringing and actually goes to the gym without interruption — will thank you.
