People here often talk about toxic women but I think it is also important to talk about toxic people in general. Leaving behind those who seek to bring you down, be it man or woman. There are overt ways and covert ways to keep you down. One covert way that a "friend" used on me for years was that he would always find himself in some trouble or another. Be it depression or drug abuse. Girl or money troubles. Everytime I would start to rise up he would find himself in trouble and I would stop my journey to help him. Each time I would bury myself a little bit deeper and struggle more to crawl out of that hole.

I was finally able to free myself from him but it wasn't easy. Another way toxic people keep you down is by appealling to your humanity and decency. Meanwhile taking advantage of you. Don't be surprised if these people try to make you feel guilty just for moving on.

I suffered a lot thanks to these a-holes. Even got panic attacks as a souvenir. But being by myself has been a great balm. It is not easy at first. But as you get used to it, the inner peace overrules any sense of loneliness.

Not looking for sympathy. Just wanted to tell part of my story. Maybe it'll help someone escape from a horrible situation much faster than I did.