Small family outside of our family, people you can rely on and enjoy socializing with. However, how do you know they won’t be there for you when things get tough?
According to a major study, where over 10,000 people were followed for more than 12 years, there is a very close link between toxic relationships, stress, and health. So, how can you tell if you’re in a toxic “best friends” situation?
Below are some of the main red flags to pay attention to in your friendships:
They only call you when they have nothing else to do
We all know that person who loves to call only when everyone else is busy. This type of “friend” is easily recognizable. They never call you when they’ve planned something fun, but they love to reach out when they need to vent or seek a favor, always expecting you to be available.
You feel exhausted after spending time with them
Vampires exist beyond the “Twilight saga” movie. They walk among us. They breathe our air and drain our positive energy. They are energy vampires. You can easily spot them by how you feel after spending a few hours with them. They don’t feed on blood but on your energy, leaving you feeling drained and overwhelmed after your time together.
They are the real-life “Gossip Girl”
If your friend loves gossip, there’s a good chance they do the same behind your back. The biggest mistake you can make is assuming they won’t gossip about you just because you’re friends. The last thing you need is for all your secrets to circulate within your friend circle, so it might be time to let go of the gossip-monger.
They love talking about themselves.
These types of friends are inherently narcissistic and love the sound of their own voice. They ask, “How are you?” just to finish that quickly and start talking about their own life. They enjoy drowning you in their endless monologues and often won’t let you finish a sentence if you dare to speak up.
They are borderline obsessed with you.
Friends who show even the slightest hint of jealousy are a major red flag. They usually demand you be available 100% of the time and get upset if you talk to or, heaven forbid, decide to meet other friends. They want to know every detail of what you did when you were apart, going to extremes like snooping through your phone. It sounds like it’s time to distance yourself from this toxic friend.
These are just some of the signs that you’re in an unhealthy friendship. Perhaps the most obvious red flag is if a particular friend came to mind as you read this post. Never forget that true friends are there for you “when it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.”
