Relationships that Stunt Our Growth

When I was a little girl, my mom used to tell me to drink lots of milk so I would grow. Clearly that milk didn't help my height, but I'd like to think I've "grown-up" on the inside. Yet, I wonder if certain relationships in my life have stunted my "growth." For example, the boy "friend" that will never be "the boyfriend."

A relationship that was toxic from day one, always lingering in a grey fog, sometimes as just friends, other times just hook-up pals, and once in a while delusionally thinking this could be something more. On paper, he'd be a great catch, but unfortunately in reality he lacks a certain trustworthy quality. And while I consciously know that he's not "the one" - yet, I wonder if on some level his presence in my life is preventing me from finding Mr. Right.

If someone doesn't measure up to the ridiculous top ten criteria, do I just jump ship because I know I can just hang out with hook-up boy, passing the time until "something better" comes along? But in the process, am I blind to that "something better"?