Friends are the family we choose for ourselves, or so the saying goes. But how do we choose our friends? And more importantly, how do we know if we’ve chosen the right ones? Friendship is a complex, multifaceted concept that can be hard to define, but one thing is clear: it plays a crucial role in our lives.
Friendship is more than just a casual acquaintanceship. It is a bond between two people that involves mutual respect, trust, and support. It is a relationship that can last a lifetime, and it is a source of comfort, joy, and meaning. However, not all friendships are created equal, and some can have a negative impact on our lives.
The importance of healthy friendships cannot be overstated. Positive friendships can improve our mental health, boost our self-esteem, and provide a support system during challenging times. On the other hand, toxic friendships can drain our energy, lead to stress and anxiety, and even have long-term negative consequences.
It’s not always easy to recognize when someone is being a negative influence in our lives, but it’s important to be aware of the warning signs. Here are just a few signs that your friend may not be as good for you as you thought:
They are always negative or critical of you.
We all have bad days, and sometimes we need a friend to vent to. However, if your friend is always negative or critical of you, it may be a sign that they’re not really in your corner. A true friend will support you and lift you up, not tear you down.
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They only call or hang out when they need something.
It’s great to be there for our friends when they need us, but it’s not healthy for a friendship to be one-sided. If you feel like your friend only reaches out to you when they want something, it’s worth taking a closer look at the dynamic of your relationship.
They are not supportive of your goals or interests.
A true friend will be your cheerleader, encouraging you to pursue your passions and achieve your goals. If your friend doesn’t show an interest in what you’re doing or seems to be actively discouraging you, it may be a sign that they’re not the best influence on your life.
They frequently gossip or talk behind your back.
Gossiping may be fun in the moment, but it’s not a healthy habit to have in a friendship. If your friend is constantly talking behind your back or spreading rumors, it’s a major red flag. Not only is it hurtful, but it can also be a sign of deeper issues in the friendship.
They don’t respect your boundaries or feelings.
Boundaries are an important part of any healthy relationship, and friendships are no exception. If your friend consistently crosses your boundaries or disregards your feelings, it’s a sign that they may not be respecting you as a person. It’s important to set boundaries and stick to them, even if it means having a difficult conversation with your friend.
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They are not trustworthy or reliable.
Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, including friendship. If your friend consistently breaks promises, lies to you, or doesn’t follow through on commitments, it can be a sign that they’re not trustworthy or reliable. It’s important to have friends who you can count on when you need them.
They always make you feel guilty or bad about yourself.
A true friend will support you and encourage you, even when things aren’t going well. If your friend is always making you feel guilty or bad about yourself, it’s not a good sign. It’s important to surround yourself with people who lift you up and make you feel good about yourself.
They don’t apologize
No one is perfect, and we all make mistakes. But a good friend will take responsibility for their actions and apologize when they’ve hurt you. If your friend doesn’t take responsibility for their actions or apologize when they’ve done something wrong, it can be a sign that they’re not invested in the relationship.
They consistently cancel plans
Life happens, and sometimes plans change. But if your friend consistently cancels plans or doesn’t show up when they say they will, it can be a sign that they’re not respecting your time or valuing the relationship.
I had a friend who would cancel plans at the last minute or not show up at all. It was frustrating because I would make an effort to schedule time with her, but she didn’t seem to value our friendship. I realized that this was a sign of a bad friend and eventually stopped making plans with her.
They pressure you to do things you don’t want to do.
A true friend will respect your boundaries and support your decisions, even if they don’t always agree with them. If your friend is pressuring you to do things you don’t want to do, it’s not a healthy dynamic. It’s important to have friends who respect your autonomy and individuality.
Excessively needy or clingy
Friendship is about balance, and it’s important to have space to be your own person. If your friend is excessively needy or clingy, it can be a sign that they’re not respecting your boundaries or personal space. It’s important to have friends who respect your need for independence and solitude.
They make everything about themselves.
A healthy friendship is about mutual support and sharing, not competition or one-upmanship. If your friend is always trying to one-up you or make everything about themselves, it can be a sign of deeper issues in the friendship.
They are manipulative.
Manipulation and control have no place in a healthy friendship. If your friend is manipulative or tries to control you or the relationship, it’s a major red flag. It’s important to have friends who respect your autonomy and individuality.
They consistently lie to you or deceive you.
Honesty is a cornerstone of any healthy relationship, including friendship. If your friend is consistently lying or deceiving you, it’s a sign that they don’t value your trust or respect you enough to be truthful.
They are judgmental or dismissive
A true friend should be someone you can confide in and trust to support you, even if they don’t agree with your opinions or feelings. If your friend is judgmental or dismissive of your thoughts and emotions, it can be a sign of deeper issues in the friendship.
They don’t listen to you or take your concerns seriously.
Communication is key to any successful relationship, including friendship. If your friend consistently dismisses your concerns or doesn’t take the time to listen to you, it’s a sign that they’re not invested in the relationship or your well-being.
They don’t prioritize your friendship
A true friend should prioritize your friendship and make time for you. If your friend consistently puts other people or things ahead of your friendship, it can be a sign that they’re not invested in the relationship or don’t value your time and energy. This can make you feel like you’re not important to them, and that they don’t respect your time or efforts to maintain the friendship.
They engage in questionable behaviors
Safety should always be a top priority in any relationship, including friendship. If your friend engages in behaviors that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, it’s important to set boundaries and consider whether the friendship is worth continuing.
They are envious of your successes or accomplishments.
A true friend should be happy for your successes and support your accomplishments. If your friend is envious or resentful of your achievements, it can be a sign of deeper issues in the friendship. This shows that your friend is not happy for your successes, and they may feel threatened or jealous of your accomplishments. It can create tension and negativity in the friendship.
You feel like you have to walk on eggshells around them
A healthy friendship is one in which you can be yourself and feel comfortable expressing your thoughts and emotions. If your friend makes you feel like you have to constantly apologize or walk on eggshells around them, it’s a sign of an unhealthy dynamic. This type of behavior is toxic and can be emotionally draining. It can make you feel like you’re responsible for your friend’s emotions or reactions, and it can be difficult to navigate the friendship without constantly worrying about upsetting them.