How To Stay Sane If You Live With Toxic People But Can't Get Out

I've seen people asking this question on various sites, but usually the answer given is 'just get out, there is always a way'. This is incredibly unhelpful, uneducated advice, because for some people, there is no way. Like me, for instance. I'm trying my hardest to get a job and get out on my own, but right now I am completely destitute and my 2 friends live far away. Telling someone like me to 'find a way to get out of there' is really stupid. I'm not just lazy, or 'not trying'. I am trying. And so are many people who ask a sincere question only to recieve a useless quip as a response.
So I thought I'd help others like me who have no alternative but to stay in a toxic environment.

Firstly, get out whenever you can. I have the good fortune to live in Carnegie, a small borough near Pittsburgh where I am 10 minutes away from several shops, and 20 minutes from an independent coffee shop and a library (and an ice cream shop!). I used to spend a lot of time here before the following tip, sitting in the loft of the coffee shop or in the empty concert hall area in the library, where every little thing echoed but I was alone and I could relax and fill my mind with healthy things that counteracted the poison I was recieving at home.

The next most important thing, if it's possible for you, is to make your bedroom like a mini-apartment, or sanctuary. This might seem silly, but it really helps me distance myself from the toxic environment in the rest of the house. I have some (non-refrigerated, obviously) food and bottles of water, and some plates and silverware in a storage drawer, and I used a body pillow on my bed (against the wall) for a couch. If you have a bigger bedroom than me you can really go crazy with it. Mini fridge! Actual couch! My room is already full of things that fuel me and motivate/inspire me, and it really creates a positive environment. I have a microscopic bedroom, and it works very well, so if you've got a little more upstairs real estate, it should be brilliant. I spend most nights here, and a lot of time during the day as well. It's a positive atmosphere and it's wonderful to look around and be in a space that is 100% mine, and portrays me and my tastes and nothing else. Psychologically, it's wonderful.

Fill your time with things that make you feel good, that keep you hopeful and positive. Books, music, (for me it's mostly YouTube), whatever fuels you. My anxiety and depression makes me stay in a lot, and it's important to be around other people who don't poison you sometimes. I joined a social anxiety Meetup group last year, and though its hard to force myself to do it, every time I have it's made me feel amazing. Doing this you may find other people who are like you, who have been through some similar things, and that helps an incredible amount. Also it makes me feel good to do things on my own, to prove to myself that I don't need the abusive person to get along.

My fur baby, Kacey, is a source of endless joy for me and, despite being a...well..less than cuddle-prone creature, she makes me happy no matter what situation I'm in or how I'm feeling. I'm not saying you should get a dog, but...maybe you should get a dog.

I'm just saying.