Here’s a look at some things a toxic friend will do:
1.Put you down:When a friend regularly demeans you and makes you feel miserable, whether they use more outright insults, your friendship probably isn’t a healthy one.
2. Gossip:You told a friend something in confidence, and the next day, your entire social circle knows the details. Someone who consistently breaks your trust probably doesn’t care much about your feelings.
3. Apologize without sincerity;When you call them out on their behavior, they shrug off your distress or give a flippant, “Sorry.”These non-apologies suggest someone doesn’t really care how their actions affect you.
4. Make you feel nervous;Maybe they get extremely irritated and shout at you over tiny things, like forgetting to turn off the TV or not returning a jacket they lent you. Then, the next minute they act as if nothing happened.
5. Leave you unsettled;Spending time with a close friend should make you feel good, generally speaking. Maybe spending time with one particular friend leaves you uneasy or upset. If you notice this unsettled feeling, consider examining your friendship for other signs that things aren’t quite right.
6. Compare you to other people;Have a friend who likes to point out the ways you don’t measure up to their other friends? Maybe your apartment is smaller than X’s apartment so it’s not as fun to hang out with you. Or dressing more like Y would make you cooler.
7. Put themselves front and center — always; Ever had a fair-weather friend? They drop in when things are going well or when they need something, but when you’re struggling, you can’t reach them at all.
8. Try to change you;Someone who tries to change things about you may not be an ideal friend.
Once you end a toxic friendship, take some time to focus on yourself. You went through something painful and difficult, so it’s perfectly reasonable to need some time to heal. Ending a toxic friendship can be challenging, and it’s completely normal to need a little extra support at any part of the process.
