Friendship is beautiful, in all its forms. We all know that having friends is one of the most fulfilling experiences in life. However, not all friendships are healthy. There are times when we come across that one friend who always seems to leave us feeling drained, frustrated, and emotionally exhausted. Yes, we're talking about the toxic friend.
Dealing with a toxic friend can be tough. We often find ourselves making excuses for their behavior, overlooking their flaws, and making justifications for their actions. We may even feel guilty for wanting to distance ourselves from them. After all, isn't a toxic friend just a lonely person who needs a friend?
The answer is no. A toxic friend is not someone who needs a friend. They are someone who takes advantage of your kindness, manipulates your emotions, and does not have your best interests at heart. Toxic friendships can cause a great deal of stress, anxiety, and depression.
This is where you really
need to think about your boundaries and your values. Especially when helping people is a value. It's okay to set boundaries and distance yourself from toxic friends. It doesn't mean that you're a bad person or that you're abandoning them. It means that you're putting your mental health and well-being first.
Here are a few things you can do to deal with a toxic friend:
Set Boundaries - Be clear about what you're comfortable with and what you're not. If they are crossing your boundaries, speak up and let them know.
Communicate - Talk to your friend about how their behavior is affecting you. It's possible that they don't realize the impact they are having on you. (This might just be what you need the solution to fix the friendship)
Be Assertive - Don't be afraid to say no. If they are asking you to do something that you're not comfortable with, it's okay to say no.
Create Distance - Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to create some distance between yourself and your toxic friend. This doesn't mean that you have to cut them out of your life completely, but it does mean that you need to be mindful of the time you spend with them.
Remember, your mental health and well-being are important. It's okay to walk away from a toxic friendship. In fact, it's necessary for your own personal growth and development. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, support you, and make you feel good about yourself. Life is too short to spend it with toxic people.