Good friends can be part of the best medicine for our mental well-being. Studies show that social connection has the power to heal us from depression and lessen the severity of illness. Friends you can't trust. Does this sound familiar? We all do have one or two "friends" who drag us down instead of make us feel better. If so, you may be in a toxic friendship—and you're not alone.
According to experts, most Americans have struggled with at least one unhealthy social bond by the time they're in their late teens. Sadly, many continue to endure these connections throughout their lives. Friendships can be so potent, however, they can intrude and erode our intimate relationships. A healthy friendship is one in which you can have contact with different people without worrying about negative consequences.
Fortunately, you can break the cycle. The first step is by simply spotting the signs. If you have someone in your life who’s taking more than they’re giving. It might be time, to go your separate ways.
THE GOSSIPER
According to experts, most Americans have struggled with at least one unhealthy social bond by the time they're in their late teens. Sadly, many continue to endure these connections throughout their lives. Friendships can be so potent, however, they can intrude and erode our intimate relationships. A healthy friendship is one in which you can have contact with different people without worrying about negative consequences.
Fortunately, you can break the cycle. The first step is by simply spotting the signs. If you have someone in your life who’s taking more than they’re giving. It might be time, to go your separate ways.
THE GOSSIPER
Can be a destructive force in your life, as this person calls your own integrity into question. They talk about everyone, there's a good chance that they're also gossiping about you behind your back. Without this type of person in your life, you can grow stronger in your feelings of self-worth.
THE CRITICS
THE CRITICS
Makes you feel bad about yourself. From your clothes, your relationship and your life. Most of us are pretty critical of ourselves. When you consistently allow someone to make you feel badly about yourself, you turn a great deal of mental power over to them.
THE JUDGEMENTAL
THE JUDGEMENTAL
These people gives unsolicited advice, even though you’ve politely asked them to stop. They wants to give you a life sentence of insecurity without parole. Too much time spent in their company, will make you doubt every decision you’ve made. Find a friend who’s cool with letting you make your own choices, even if they do disagrees with it.
THE PITIER
THE PITIER
Who tries to help you in various areas of your life. There’s always friends who is forever trying to fix your life. They can lead to a belief that you are not self-reliant or independent. They mean well, but seriously… buzz off!
THE SCHEMER
THE SCHEMER
From asking you to help them or involving you in their hidden agendas schemes. They always trying to make you an accomplice to their shady plans. You might want to spend your time with someone who has more lofty goals and aspirations! It sounds like this person only wants a sidekick who will take the fall with them. Of course, you have better things to do with your time.
THE UGLY BITTER
THE UGLY BITTER
Obviously, these people are bad for your health. Everything is negative in their life and spending time with them makes you feel like life sucks. Life’s too short for this type of attitude. It’s time to break up!
THE OLD BUDDIES
THE OLD BUDDIES
It’s great to have friends from your past, but if that is all you have to connect on. Then you’re not moving forward with your lives or making new memories. Live in the present and spend time with people you would like to make new memories with.
THE ALL-TIME BROKE BUDDY
THE ALL-TIME BROKE BUDDY
Get rid of those who don’t pay their way. Whether it’s a friend always asking you for a loans and never paying you back or who expects you to pay for their life. Remember you are a person and not an ATM.
THE FRIEND @ ENEMY
THE FRIEND @ ENEMY
They your friend, but also your arch enemy. You deserve friendships in which you support each other’s triumphs as opposed to bringing each other down. In reality, supporting each other makes us feel much better about ourselves and our friends.
THE NEGATIVE CREEP
THE NEGATIVE CREEP
Sometimes a bad influence can be fun, but this person just brings out the worst in you. When you only have one thing in common with a friend, and that one thing is not very healthy. It’s time to ask yourself : Does this person raise me up or bring me down?
THE FACEBOOK FRIENDS
THE FACEBOOK FRIENDS
Facebook is a fun pastime. Just be sure, not to let those online friends take the place of real life ones. You are better off having a few true friends that you can confide in rather than a bunch of Facebook friends you barely know. Your true friends will stand by you when you really need them. Your Facebook friends may simply just log out!
THE WHO NEEDS PARTNER WHEN YOU HAVE ME CLUB
THE WHO NEEDS PARTNER WHEN YOU HAVE ME CLUB
These friends are often over-involved in your life. Usually, you can sense how to interpret their silence or when to heed their advice. Danger lies, however, when you find yourself overvaluing a friend who speaks both too frankly and negatively about your intimate relationship.
Often these too attached friends sense that you might be going through hard times with your partner, and they pull you into their lives and ways of thinking. The mildest form of their agenda is for you to complete and fill their lives. The worst agenda is to erode your intimate relationship and happiness and become a member of their Club.
Often these too attached friends sense that you might be going through hard times with your partner, and they pull you into their lives and ways of thinking. The mildest form of their agenda is for you to complete and fill their lives. The worst agenda is to erode your intimate relationship and happiness and become a member of their Club.
Pay Attention To These Warning Signs That You Might Have Fallen Under The Spell Of A Friend With An Agenda When These Kinds Of Friends :
- Take up too much of your time and energy.
- Make you feel guilty for not "being there for them.
- Are negative about your partner.
- Increase your unhappiness with your partner.
- Create arguments between you and your partner.
- Your Positives Are Their Negatives. They never congratulate you, instead they use your happy moment as an opportunity to bring you down.
- Their World Is Always Worse Than Yours. Whenever you have a problem or dilemma, the toxic friends feels the need to turn it around and show how much worse their life is.
- The Other People In Your Life, Don't Want To Be Around Them.If your other friends or family refuse to be in someone's presence. This should be a red flag that something is very wrong. People who are outside of a situation can often see things that those inside cannot.
People experience emotions on a very visceral level, taking in their surroundings and feeding off others energy. It’s more effective emotionally for you to have people in your life who exude positive energy, rather than those who can drain you of the vital life energy you needs to maintain your own quality of life.
By cutting this person out of your life, you can move past old feelings and emotional attachments and in turn open your heart and mind to new experiences, friendships and relationships.
By cutting this person out of your life, you can move past old feelings and emotional attachments and in turn open your heart and mind to new experiences, friendships and relationships.
Seek out friends who support you and you’ll be a whole lot happier in all aspects of your life. Good lucks !!!
