Heart to Heart: What Is A Toxic Friendship & When It’s Time To Quit It!

It is no secret that the connections we are making with others are significant. Whether it is the relationship with your family, the love of your life or simply with friends. Social life affects our health and happiness in the right way, and I am talking about real social life here and not about social media! 

It is scientifically proven that friends affect us, and they also influence us in the way of living and habits. Not for nothing, it is said: “show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are” or

surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you!

On the other hand, relationships can make us vulnerable. We learned from Maslow and Mcland that people want to be socially accepted, so sometimes we let friends affect us in ways that aren’t in our best interests. Exhausting and tricky friendships like these are called toxic friendships.

The truth is that the older you get, the more complicated life gets as well, and time is so precious. Relationships shouldn’t be so complicated. If you have one of those challenging friends, you’re always fighting with; it is time to reevaluate that friendship.

2.   T R U S T   I S S U E S

One of the essential aspects of friendship is trust. I mean, it is crucial in any relationship. If you can’t trust your friend and always have to doubt something, this isn’t good for your friendship and mental health! (Which is super important as well! Here is an article what might affect your mental health.). Sometimes smaller issues and conflicts can add up over time and will make up for a destructive friendship.

Furthermore, continually doubting leads to anxiety and FOMO (Fear of Missing Something Out). Due to that reason, try to talk about it with your friend. Otherwise, the relationship will end as a toxic friendship. If you talked about it and there seems to be no solution, consider thinking about the first aspect. Can you really rely on that friend?

3.   T H I N G S   D O N ‘T   F E E L   E Q U A L

My parents always taught me that in life, it is about giving and taking. Never take something without giving. But they also taught me that sometimes people simply could not show you the same amount back then the amount you gave them. I always try to keep that in mind, but in the end, it should still feel a little bit equal in a friendship.

For a friendship that is going to work, we also need to put effort into it. Whether it is emotional or practical support and most importantly, it should come from both sides.

5.   P E E R   P R E S S U R E

Now let me tell you something, if you are having friends, who don’t accept you the way you are, quit this friendship! Peer pressure is one of the worst things ever, and it is definitely not worth it to keep a toxic friendship like this!

Sometimes peer pressure comes in the form of forcing friends to do the same thing but always being criticised is a form of peer pressure. Remember that just because you don’t like the same sports or hobbies or do something else doesn’t mean you are less critical and lovable!

Considering all these aspects, I also want to say that recognising you’re in a toxic friendship and getting out of it takes a lot of time and strength. It is definitely not an enjoyable journey, because losing a partner or a friend always feels like something inside, you would break.

But from my own experiences, I can tell you that you are feeling better afterwards, and you will definitely have less stress! Sometimes you have to have the courage to end a toxic friendship for the better of your own and the other person.