Friendships are crucial to the development of our lives. Finding someone we enjoy spending time with, without a hint of romance, can lead us to new experiences and make us feel understood. A true friend watches your back through any crisis, holds your hand through any tragedy, and applauds all your accomplishments. The problem is when you have friends that do not make you feel at all in those circumstances and you do not know what that could be because you are with toxic friends.
3 warning signs that you are with toxic friends
As we mentioned, friendships are to be really an emotional support in our lives, however, they can cause the same stresses as any of the other relationships in our life and can turn sour over time. The difference between friendships and other relationships is that they can be particularly difficult to identify as negative.
Often times, the dynamics of a friendship change, because two people have made different decisions in life, leaving one happier than the other or they simply become two completely different people.
Sometimes these differences can be resolved over time, but for others, it is a sign that the effort to maintain friendship is simply going downhill.
Identifying toxic friends and letting them go is crucial to your emotional well-being . If you are not sure that a friendship has gone beyond the safe, check these three signs.
Toxic friends cause you embarrassment
Being shamed on purpose is one thing, but when your friend’s genuine behavior causes you to “cringe” every time you’re together in public, it’s a clear sign that the relationship has turned toxic.
Shame is a very clear sign that your attitudes have changed and (probably) matured. Having a friend who is not ready to move on and get out of what he was in the past is not a bad reflection on either of you, it is just a sign that staying close is no longer beneficial to either of you.
They don’t get along with your other friends, family, or partner
If all of your friends don’t like your partner, it could be a good indication that something is wrong. However, if you have a friend who has problems with them, as well as having no desire to share you with anyone else, it is a problem.
This small problem of jealousy that usually manifests itself in rude comments and behavior, is a clear indicator that the friendship has turned into a relationship of dependency rather than mutual respect.
Spending time with toxic friends alters your view of the world to be much bleaker as they try to create an “us versus the world” mentality. Leaving very little room for any of you to grow or open up to new experiences.
They never support you
At the heart of true friendship is support. Cele
praise the good and pity the bad. No matter the experience, your friends are the ones you trust to stick with you even through the most heartbreaking trials.
More importantly, when things are going well or you are considering taking a risk, sometimes you need people to gather around you and tell you how great you are.
A toxic friend will do the opposite of all of these things.
Your achievements will be met at best with bitter reactions, and at worst with nasty comments. They will remind you of your shortcomings and insecurities in an attempt to erode your self-confidence. It is the worst trait of a toxic friendship and from which it is most important to escape.
Friendship should always be a source of comfort and love in your life. It is a relationship between two equals that add value to each other’s life while enhancing each other’s joy and understanding the human condition.
As the great French journalist and writer, Albert Camus once wrote: “Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow you. Don’t walk behind me, I may not guide you. Walk with me and be my friend. ”