It’s said that losing a friend can hit harder than losing a significant other. Letting go of someone is no joke — especially if it’s someone who’s been in your life for a bit of time. What happens to all the memories? What about all the adventures and late-night conversations? Acknowledging when a friendship has run its course isn’t ever easy and recognizing red flags that a friendship may be dying can be even more difficult. Though each situation will be unique, here are seven common signs that your friendship may no longer be benefiting you.
- They don’t value your time
-
Picture this: You put on a cute outfit, spend time perfecting your hair, and text your friend about how excited you are to hang out. Then, you’re hit with the classic “I’m sorry, something came up! Raincheck?” text — again. Being blown off sucks, and your time is way too precious to be taken advantage of!
- They’re “always busy”
-
When making plans, how often are you the one to reach out? No friendship is one-sided, and both parties should be putting in equal effort. If you find that your friend rarely reaches out, that may be a sign that they’re not as invested in your friendship as you are.
- The friendship hinders your own growth and well-being
-
In order for a friendship to work, you have to be able to grow together. If you notice that hanging out or speaking with a friend leaves you emotionally drained and feeling worse afterwards, it may be time to re-evaluate whether or not that friendship is worth sacrificing your happiness.
- All you do is fight
-
Sometimes it’s easier to notice the things that go wrong in a friendship, but if you realize that almost every conversation turns sour, it may be time to reconsider your relationship with someone. You might have fond memories of a person, but eliminating a toxic situation will ultimately be better for the both of you.
- They can’t keep your secrets safe
-
A major component of any relationship is the ability to trust the other person involved. You should be able to feel comfortable confiding in your friends and trust that they’ll keep your personal information private. Remember, any decent friend wouldn’t put your private life on display — especially if you’ve made it clear that you don’t want something shared.
- You have nothing to talk about
-
Hanging out with a friend and conversing with them should never have to feel like a chore. When conversations run dry, it might be an indicator that you’ve come to have different interests. It’s natural to drift apart from some people, though, and acknowledging when that occurs can make it easier to help you determine if a friendship is worth your time and energy.
- They make your feelings seem invalid
-
Have you ever expressed concerns to a friend, only for them to downplay the issue and make it seem like it isn’t a big deal? No friendship comes without its problems, but both parties should be able to voice concerns without feeling like they’re overreacting. Though your friend may not always agree with you, it’s important to recognize that a good friend will still hear you out and respect your emotions in order to better understand your perspective.
There’s no one specific way to break up with a friend, but for your personal well-being and mental health, it’s important to place boundaries as to what you define as acceptable behavior in a friendship. Though it may initially be difficult to come to terms with, letting go of a toxic situation opens the door for new opportunities and brings you closer to the happiness you truly deserve.