5 Signs You Might Be in a Toxic Friendship

Friends can be toxic too…

We get it. No one wants to think of their friend, let alone their friendship, as toxic. But sometimes they can be, and it’s important to recognize them so you can take action. Here are 5 signs you might be in a toxic relationship.

1. Your friend/friends discourage your goals

Have you ever had a friend who always discouraged your ideas? Don’t get me wrong; we all need friends who are going to be realists, per se. But there’s a thin line between being a realist and being a pessimist. So if you notice your friend(s) don’t get excited when you talk about goals or accomplishments, you might want to reassess the kind of energy being spread in your inner circle.

2. They compete with you

When a friend (or frenemy) is toxic, they will do little things that make their true feelings apparent. They may try to one-up you or compete with you in odd ways. For example, a friend might steal your signature hairstyle or announce their engagement at your wedding. This type of competition is a sign of insecurity and jealousy. It isn’t healthy and will lead to further issues down the road. Keep an eye out for the green-eyed monster that often poses itself as flattery.

3. They don’t respect your boundaries

Do you have a friend who constantly breaks your rules? We’re not talking about the fun friends that challenge you to try new things. We’re talking about the girls who borrow your clothes even when you asked them not to, pop up in your space unannounced despite you being an introvert, or find any way not to respect your established boundaries. Toxic people like this will always put you in unnecessarily awkward situations and uncomfortable conversations.

4. They make you the butt of the joke

If a friend is constantly making you the butt of the joke, it’s a sign of their hidden feelings towards you. We all have our comedic sides, but they shouldn’t frequently be at the expense of the ones we claim to love. Next time they’re ki-ki-ing about you and not with you, ask, “What’s so funny?”

5. They leave you out

Although all friend groups have their different sects and cliques, you shouldn’t feel FOMO when it comes to your friends. However, if you’re constantly feeling uninvited or left out, maybe it’s time to find a new circle to run in.

Think you’re in a toxic friendship, maybe it’s time for you to spend some time with yourself.

This article was written by Endía and adapted by Felicia Kebreau.