They say friends are the family we choose for ourselves. Good friends bring comfort and warmth to your heart, peace to your mind, and fill your life with happiness. Yet it is surprising how many people put up with toxic friends on a day to day basis, never realizing the emotional damage it causes to their mental health. We tend to treat our friendships, romantic relationships, and familial bonds very differently. While it’s relatively easy to spot a toxic romantic partner, identifying a toxic friendship can take some time. And by the time you realize how emotionally draining someone’s presence is to your life and happiness, it would have already taken its toll on your mental health and peace.
How to Spot a Toxic Friend?
Spotting a toxic friend isn’t an easy job for many people.
Especially for people with warm natures and soft hearts, it gets very tough to tell a real friend from a toxic one. But, here are some ways you can actually tell when a person is too toxic to be your friend:
Machiavellian Approach: Are you so accustomed to getting calls from this ‘friend’ only when they are in need? Emotional support, financial aid – you name it? Do you often feel you are getting sucked into “helping” them more than you can actually afford to? That’s manipulation and a red flag!
Narcissism: Is this so-called friend of you always all-praises about themselves, especially when you are put into the spotlight? A narcissist would never put anyone else above himself. A big red flag! He would never celebrate or be happy at your success or achievements.
How to Get Rid of a Toxic Friend?
Now that you have spotted a toxic friend in your life, it’s time you get rid of them. Having them in your life would bring you no good. People with toxic traits only engulf your mental peace. And here’s how you do it:
BE HONEST
Don’t try to justify their acts; don’t cook up reasons for their crap behavior. Be honest in calculating how their response has been towards you. Then communicate those feelings to them openly and honestly.
PRIORITIZE YOURSELF
Don’t get emotional while cutting them off. Put your mental peace above all nostalgic feelings. You owe it to yourself.
SOCIALIZE
Make it a point to surround yourself with positive people with positive energy. Co-workers, neighbors, gym partners – you will find people to match your vibe.
Above all, rely on your inner strength. Negativity is the enemy of happiness. Love yourself enough to let them go for good.
