You’re not entirely sure what happened, but that same ‘friend’ is causing another monumental drama. In one way or another, yet again, they’re turning it all around, making you question whether it is, indeed, your fault. Sound familiar? This, my friend, is likely one of the many toxic friendships you will experience in your lifetime.
Monday Motivation: How to Spot and Eradicate Toxic Friendships
There’s a reason why we find ourselves with fewer friends as we grow older (and wiser). People are temporary. Only a handful of true friends will be by your side forever. Over time, our intuition will tell us who we should keep in our lives, and which toxic friendships we should eradicate before they destroy us.
“You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” — Jim Rohn
So, how can you be sure this is another toxic friendship you need to remove from your life? Here are a few signs.
They cleverly disguise their criticism.
These toxic friendships are the most deadly because they will be so experienced at masking their insults, they’ll make you question if you are, in fact, imagining all of this in your head. Remove the emojis and LOL’s after their malicious words and carefully read what they’re saying. Are the playfully poking fun at you, or are they unintelligently attempting to camouflage their nasty words as jokes? Putting a smiley face or LOL after belittling words doesn’t make them funny, or OK. She’s a mean girl.
They’re at war with you.
Almost everything you suggest or say to them is reacted to with defensive words or criticism, solely because it’s you. Started noticing how exhausted you feel after a text or phone conversation with them directly or via the WhatsApp group chat? That’s their toxicity level overflowing into your soul and depleting your energy levels. Kick them to the curb before they steal the joy out of another single second of your day, week or year. They’re not your friend; they’re aligning themselves as your enemy. Bub-bye!
They speak about their other friends like dirt.
If they speak about their other friends with an underlying vengeance, trust me, they’re doing the same to you behind your back. Cut the ties with this one. No good will come from such toxic friendships.
They take without any give.
Freeloaders are like human parasites. They will take advantage of your good nature and generosity with little, if anything, in return. Toxic friendships like these are lose-lose for you. Hit the ejector button!
They never say sorry.
Knowing when and how to say sorry is a necessary personality trait expected of any remotely decent friendship. If you’ve communicated you’ve found words they’ve thrown at you dismissive or hurtful but never received a sorry; they frankly don’t care. Their self-inflated ego fools them into thinking they’re above you and everyone else, and they couldn’t care less how their behavior affects others. Click that Un-friend button!
They’re always complaining.
People who consistently moan and complain about everything are negative. They’re a drain on your positivity bank and everything that’s good in your life. Avoid them at all costs. Nay, block their number. And on social media.
Everything is always about themselves.
They’re self-centered, plain and simple. It’s exhausting. Leave these type of people to stew in their inflated sense of self-importance.
They try and manipulate you.
When you say no, they throw manipulation techniques at you. They’re not fooling anyone. Stand your ground. Actually; turn around and run as fast as you possibly can in the other direction because they will use their seasoned manipulation skills for evil against you if they don’t get their own way. You don’t need that in your life. Adios!
They lie.
When they’re not exaggerating, they’re flat out lying. Trust me, the same lies you catch them telling about others are the same type of lies they’ll spread about you. Their knife in your back is coming for you, be ready for it. Detach and disappear.
When they’re not exaggerating, they’re flat out lying. Trust me, the same lies you catch them telling about others are the same type of lies they’ll spread about you. Their knife in your back is coming for you, be ready for it. Adios!
