How To End Manipulative Relationship: (17 Recovery Steps)

If you want to know how to end manipulative relationship, you’ll love this article.

Breaking free from a controlling or manipulative relationship can be a daunting task, and it may feel more challenging than staying in the relationship. The fear of leaving, the worry that your partner may not be able to cope without you, or the belief that you lack the courage to end the relationship can all hold you back.

However, until you find the strength to break free, you won’t be able to live life on your own terms. To end the relationship, you need to prepare yourself, make a plan, and stick to it. The key to success is finding the courage to take the first step.

How To End Manipulative Relationship

1. Recognize if you’re in a controlling or manipulative relationship, as it’s common for such relationships to last longer than necessary due to denial.

You may overlook warning signs and believe your partner is merely needy or moody, while they have slowly taken over every aspect of your life. Here are some signs to look out for:

  • Your partner controls how often you see friends, where you go, and other aspects of your life.
  • Your partner uses emotional outbursts to control you and express their need for you.
  • Your partner has threatened violence or suicide when you’ve tried to leave.
  • Your partner is jealous and makes it difficult for you to hang out with others, especially people of the opposite gender.
  • Your partner puts you down in front of others and discourages you from speaking in public.
  • You feel afraid of your partner’s reaction if you don’t give in to their demands.
  • Your partner pressures you to do things you don’t want to do, especially sexually.
  • You prioritize pleasing your partner over your own needs and desires.
  • Your partner makes you believe that you’ll never find someone else and that there’s no way out of the relationship.

If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s time to get out of the relationship and prioritize your well-being.

2. Once you realize that you’re in a controlling or manipulative relationship, it’s essential to start thinking about why you need to leave.

This will help you create a plan and motivate you to move on. Writing these reasons down will help you keep them in mind and realize the urgency of the situation. Here are some compelling reasons to leave:

  • Regain your independence and start doing the things you love again. Make a list of activities you used to enjoy that your partner doesn’t allow you to do anymore.
  • Reconnect with friends and family and start enjoying your relationships again. Think of the happy memories you have with them and how much fun you can have once you’re free to spend time with them.
  • Boost your self-esteem by evaluating yourself on your own terms and stop basing it on your partner’s validation.
  • Eliminate constant fear and anxiety and start enjoying life without the worry of your partner’s reactions.
  • Seek the help of a good friend to help you generate some reasons to leave. They may have insights into your relationship that you don’t and can motivate you to move on.

By keeping these reasons in mind, you can create a clear plan of action and find the courage to leave the relationship.

3. Create a plan for what you will say when you break up with your partner.

It’s important to keep your message short and straightforward, without giving your partner an opportunity to try and persuade you to stay. Avoid listing all of the reasons for your decision or pointing fingers, as this may escalate emotions and make the situation worse.

Instead, keep your message brief and to the point, for example, “I’m sorry, but this relationship is not working for me anymore” or “I’ve decided that it’s time for us to move on.” Stay calm and composed when delivering the news, even if it’s difficult, and avoid getting emotional, which can make you appear vulnerable to manipulation. Practicing what you will say can help you feel more confident and comfortable during the conversation.

4. When you’re dealing with a controlling or unstable person, it’s important to plan how you’ll deliver the news.

First and foremost, if you’re afraid of violence or any kind of dangerous reaction, it’s best to deliver the news in a public place where you feel safe, and bring a friend if necessary. If you don’t even want to face the person, you can consider writing a note or email as a way of communicating your decision to end the relationship.

It’s important to act quickly once you’ve made the decision to end the relationship, but also consider the timing. Avoid ending the relationship when you or your partner have been drinking, or in the midst of a stressful event. Instead, try to pick a time when your partner is likely to be more stable, even if it’s not much.

5. Create a plan for leaving.

If you live with your partner or have belongings at their place, consider how you will retrieve your things. You could attempt to be discreet and retrieve your items before ending the relationship to avoid going back afterwards.

Enlist the help of a few trustworthy friends to assist you in gathering your things, whether it’s done secretly or after the breakup. This will help you feel more secure and motivated to leave.

If you live with your partner, it’s important to find a safe place to stay before initiating the breakup. This will prevent you from being stranded or tempted to return.

6. Prepare yourself emotionally for the breakup by mentally accepting that the relationship is already over.

This means acknowledging that the decision to end things has been made and beginning to process your feelings of grief and loss. By accepting that the relationship is over in your own mind, you’ll be more mentally prepared to deliver the news to your partner. This can help you to feel more confident and strong when it comes time to initiate the breakup conversation.

SEE ALSO: How To Be More Emotional In a Relationship: [10 Easy Steps]

7. Be resolute and determined when you are breaking up with someone.

Stick to your decision and don’t let the other person’s reaction affect you. Say the words you have prepared and be ready to end the conversation.

Despite the person’s reaction, whether they are crying or begging, remember the reasons why you need to leave and stay firm in your decision. The other person may plead with you to let them explain themselves, but you have already given them plenty of chances, and it’s time to move on.

8. Be concise and straightforward when ending the relationship.

Avoid getting caught up in your partner’s emotional response (1) or going into detail about all the things they did wrong. The more brief and to the point you are, the less likely your partner will try to argue or persuade you to stay.

Keep in mind that this is not a discussion, so don’t engage in a dialogue. Say what you need to say and leave.

9. Maintain physical distance during the conversation.

Sit or stand at a distance from the person and avoid any physical contact, such as holding hands or hugging, which can make it difficult for you to stick to your decision to end the relationship. Even if your partner tries to make physical contact, resist the urge to give in, and stay firm in your decision to end things.

10. Stay strong and avoid being manipulated.

If your partner has a history of manipulating you, they may try to use your emotions to get you to change your mind during the breakup. Don’t fall for their tactics, whether they try to guilt-trip you, make promises they can’t keep, or threaten you.

Remember the reasons why you’re ending the relationship and don’t let them convince you otherwise. Don’t let them make you feel guilty for leaving or make you doubt your decision. Stay strong and keep moving forward.

11. Avoid disclosing your intended destination to the person you’re breaking up with, even if it’s evident that you’re going to stay with someone you know.

This will prevent them from attempting to pursue or manipulate you into returning to the relationship, or worse, engaging in stalking behavior.

12. After delivering the news, leave without hesitation.

If you have someone waiting for you, walk out with them. Avoid giving any last-minute glances to your ex-partner; it’s time to move on.

Remember that you made this decision for a reason, and don’t let any emotions or doubts change your mind. Keep your head high and walk away with confidence.

SEE ALSO: How To Show Effort In a Relationship: [13 Effective Strategies]

13. Try to avoid any contact with your ex-partner after the break-up.

Block their number, unfriend them on social media, and avoid places where you know they’ll be. If you must communicate with them for practical reasons, such as getting back your belongings, make sure to bring a friend along and meet in a public place.

If you have mutual friends, it may be necessary to distance yourself from them for a while to avoid running into your ex. It’s important to stay strong and not be fooled if your ex tries to contact you (2) saying they just want to talk or miss you. Remember, you broke up for a reason, and it’s best to keep your distance to allow both parties to move on.

14. Resist the urge to change your mind.

It’s common to experience sadness and loneliness after a break-up. If your ex-partner had controlled many aspects of your life, it may be difficult to adjust to making decisions independently and dealing with life on your own.

You might feel overwhelmed, but this is likely what your ex wanted – for you to feel unable to function without them. However, remind yourself that things will improve with time. Tell yourself that you were fine before the relationship and can be that person again.

15. Spend quality time with your loved ones after a break-up.

While it’s essential to spend some time alone to reflect, it’s not healthy to isolate yourself completely. Instead, surround yourself with friends and family as much as possible.

Even if you don’t feel like it, force yourself to go out and have some fun. This is especially important after a manipulative or controlling relationship, as spending too much time alone may make you more likely to want to go back to your ex.

Your loved ones are your support system, so don’t hesitate to talk to them about your situation. Sharing your thoughts with them can help you feel more empowered and validated.

If you lost touch with some close friends during your relationship, reach out and be honest with them. Admit your mistake and ask them to take you back into their lives.

16. Keep yourself occupied with various activities.

If you stay inactive and keep thinking about your breakup, you’ll find it challenging to move on. To get over your past relationship, spend your time with your friends, focus on your hobbies and interests, and engage yourself in your work or studies.

You can also try exploring new hobbies that interest you, and this will bring more excitement to your life. Even if you’re alone, try to get out of your house and do something like reading in a coffee shop.

Plan your day and week in advance and ensure that you have something to look forward to every day. You can also use this as an opportunity to try out new things that you couldn’t do with your ex-partner. Maybe your ex didn’t like sushi or watching movies; now is your chance to enjoy those things on your own.

17. Take some time to reflect on the positives that have come from ending the relationship.

Even though it may take a while to see, you will slowly begin to realize how much happier you are on your own and away from the toxic relationship. Each night, before going to bed, think of one thing you can now do without the burden of the relationship holding you back.

Consider creating a list of all the ways your life has improved and the satisfaction you feel for being in control of your thoughts and actions. When you feel weak or have moments of doubt, revisit this list and remind yourself of all the reasons why your decision was the right one. Give it time, and you’ll see that your bravery has paid off.

Here is a summary of the key points discussed in this an article about how to end a manipulative relationship:

  1. Make a plan: Decide when and where you’ll end the relationship and how you’ll communicate your decision.
  2. Stay firm: Be clear, concise, and confident when you end the relationship. Don’t give in to your partner’s manipulation tactics or pleas.
  3. Avoid contact: Cut off all contact with your ex, including phone calls, text messages, social media, and even in-person meetings if necessary. If you need to communicate with them for practical reasons, bring a friend and meet in a public place.
  4. Stay busy: Stay active and engaged in your life by spending time with loved ones, pursuing your interests, and finding new hobbies.
  5. Think positive: Focus on the ways in which your life is better without your ex and remind yourself of those positives when you’re feeling weak or tempted to go back.

By following these steps, you can successfully end a manipulative relationship and move on to a happier, healthier life.

Przemkas Mosky
Przemkas Mosky started Perfect 24 Hours in 2017. He is a Personal Productivity Specialist, blogger and entrepreneur. He also works as a coach assisting people to increase their motivation, social skills or leadership abilities. Read more here