TOXIC FRIENDS

how/why these relationships develop, how to spot a toxic friendship/’frenemy’, how to break up with a toxic friends – and the impact all this can have on mental health etc.

A toxic friend never has your best interested at heart. There is only one person in their life and that is themselves. A toxic friend will constantly put your down rather than build you up. They will only ever get in touch with you when they want something. They may try to disguise this by pretending to be interested in something you have done but ultimately they just want you to do something for them.

The best way to determine if someone is a toxic friend is to access how you feel after you’ve spent time with them. Do you feel good or bad? Do you feel good about yourself or are you doubting yourself? Do you feel energised or tired? If you feel anything but good then it’s likely they’re a toxic person.

If you find yourself with a toxic friend then the best thing you can do is distance yourself from them. Unfortunately they are very unlikely to change unless they have some sort of profound awakening experience. Most toxic people don’t realise that they are the toxic one. It’s also not worth pointing it out to them as they simply won’t hear what you have to say. They will likely tun it around on you and make out that you’re the toxic one.

Start by saying you’re busy when they ask you if you want to meet up. Continue to do this every time until they get the message. If they don’t then you may have to have a conversation with them. Explain that you don’t feel the relationship is good for you and you’d rather go your separate ways. Be kind but firm in your decision. It’s likely they will react badly to this news as no one like rejection but stand firm in your decision and don’t rise to any aftermath that may occur such as guilt tripping text messages.

You mental health and wellbeing is more important than a one-sided relationship. Start putting yourself first and make self-care a priority. Start surrounding yourself with people that want to see you thrive rather than people that want to see you fail.