Friendships are supposed to bring joy, support, and a sense of belonging.
But sometimes, certain friendships do the exact opposite. They drain your energy, mess with your mental peace, and leave you wondering why you’re still holding on.
The truth is, not every friend is meant to stay in your life forever — and that’s okay.
According to psychology, the people you surround yourself with have a direct impact on your well-being, self-esteem, and overall happiness.
While it’s hard to let go of someone you’ve known for years, sometimes it’s the healthiest choice you can make.
Toxic friendships often disguise themselves as “normal” relationships, but their subtle effects can weigh you down without you even noticing.
So, how do you know when it’s time to cut ties? Here are 7 types of friends that, according to psychology, may be doing more harm than good.
If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to do a little friendship audit — because your peace of mind is worth it.
Friendship is a two-way street, consisting of mutual give and take.
But you’ve got this one friend who’s always taking and never giving — the emotional vampire. True to their name, they drain you emotionally, constantly demanding your attention and emotional energy.
You’re always there for them, supporting them through their ups and downs. But when you need somebody, they’re nowhere to be found.
This feels like a one-sided relationship, where you’re always the giver and they’re always the receiver.
If you find yourself in such a situation, it might be time to reconsider this bond. Friendship should be about mutual support and respect, not just one person constantly catering to the other’s needs.
If it’s not, it’s time to cut it off.
Then there’s the friend who’s always critical.
Nothing you do ever seems good enough for them. Every time you share your dreams, your achievements, or even your little joys, they’re always there with their unasked critique, casting a shadow on your happiness.
I remember when I got my first job. I was over the moon and couldn’t wait to share the news with my friends. But when I told this friend about it, all they had to say was how the company was not that great or how I could have done better.
It was a punch in the gut. Here I was, excited and proud of my achievement, and all they did was belittle it.
If you constantly find yourself feeling down or doubting yourself after talking to a friend, it’s a sign.
Constructive criticism is one thing but constantly undermining your confidence? That’s a toxic trait you don’t need in your life. It’s time to reconsider this friendship.
Everyone loves having a friend who’s there for the good times — but what about the hard times?
The fair-weather friend is all smiles, laughs, and good vibes until life gets difficult.
When everything’s going great, they’re right by your side. But the moment you face a challenge, experience a setback, or need emotional support, they’re suddenly nowhere to be found.
Fair-weather friends thrive on convenience, not commitment. They love being part of the fun but aren’t willing to do the heavy lifting that real friendship requires.
Maybe they ghost you when you’re going through something tough, or they’re “too busy” every time you need a listening ear.
Over time, this one-sided dynamic becomes draining and disheartening. Friendships should be about reciprocity, not just showing up when things are easy.
Cutting ties with a fair-weather friend can feel tough, especially if they’ve been around for a while.
But ask yourself this: Do they add value to my life, or do they only take from it? A real friend walks with you through all seasons of life — not just the sunny ones.
Did you know that negativity can be as contagious as a common cold?
We all have that one friend who’s always negative. The glass is perpetually half-empty for them, and they’re always ready to point out the cloud for every silver lining.
You share your dreams with them, and they’re quick to point out all the reasons why it won’t work. You’re excited about a new opportunity, and they remind you of all the potential pitfalls.
It’s draining, and over time, their negativity starts to rub off on you. You start seeing the world through their pessimistic lens, doubting yourself, and feeling more negative about life.
A friend should uplift you, inspire you, and help you see the bright side of life. If they’re constantly dragging you down with their negativity, it might be time to reconsider this friendship.
We’ve all had that friend who seems to take over every conversation, every outing, every get-together. It’s always about them, their problems, their joys, their life.
You rarely get a chance to share your own experiences or thoughts. It’s like you’re an extra in the movie of their life, rather than an equal participant in a shared friendship.
It becomes exhausting after a while, always being the listener and never the one being heard. You start to feel invisible, like your experiences and feelings don’t matter.
As I mentioned earlier, true friendship is built on reciprocity — a give-and-take dynamic where both people feel seen and supported. A friendship hijacker isn’t interested in that balance. They only want an audience, not a partner.
If you’re constantly being reduced to a background character in their story, it might be time to rewrite the script — and walk away from a friendship that’s only ever about them.
Then there’s the friend who knows just how to make you feel guilty.
They never ask you for anything directly, but somehow, you always end up feeling pressured to do things for them.
It’s like they have a knack for playing the victim and making you feel bad if you don’t come to their rescue.
You might find yourself canceling your plans, sacrificing your time, or doing things you don’t really want to, all because they’ve managed to guilt-trip you into it.
It’s manipulative and unhealthy, definitely not a relationship worth investing in.
Out of all the toxic friends you could have, the gaslighter is by far the most dangerous.
While other unhealthy friendships might drain your energy, this one will mess with your mind.
Gaslighting is a form of emotional manipulation that leaves you questioning your reality, doubting your memories, and feeling like you’re the problem. It’s often talked about in romantic relationships, but make no mistake — it happens in friendships too.
A gaslighting friend will dismiss your feelings, twist your words, and rewrite events to suit their narrative.
If you express hurt or frustration, they’ll tell you you’re “overreacting” or “being too sensitive.”
If you recall a past event, they’ll claim, “That’s not how it happened,” even if you know it is.
Over time, this constant doubt chips away at your confidence and makes you second-guess your instincts. And once that happens, they have control.
Friendship is supposed to be a safe space where you feel seen and validated, not a place where you’re made to feel like you’re “crazy” for having emotions.
I don’t know about you, but for me, this isn’t just a red flag — it’s a dealbreaker. Walking away from a gaslighter might be difficult, but protecting your mental health is always worth it.
If you’ve found yourself nodding along to these points, it’s likely you’ve experienced the tiring dynamics of keeping up with such friendships.
But here’s the silver lining – recognizing these patterns is the first step towards healthier relationships.
Start by acknowledging these toxic traits in your friendships. Question whether these relationships contribute positively to your life or if they’re draining and distressing.
Ask yourself – do these friends respect my boundaries? Do they uplift or undermine me? Do they appreciate me for who I am?
Creating healthier relationships doesn’t happen overnight. It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay to prioritize your mental health. Remember, it’s not selfish, it’s self-care.
With consistent introspection, you can make better choices about who you let into your life. Each decision to prioritize your well-being builds self-respect and confidence.
The post 7 types of friends you should consider cutting off, according to psychology appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
—
Blog powered by G6
Disclaimer! A guest author has made this post. G6 has not checked the post. its content and attachments and under no circumstances will G6 be held responsible or liable in any way for any claims, damages, losses, expenses, costs or liabilities whatsoever (including, without limitation, any direct or indirect damages for loss of profits, business interruption or loss of information) resulting or arising directly or indirectly from your use of or inability to use this website or any websites linked to it, or from your reliance on the information and material on this website, even if the G6 has been advised of the possibility of such damages in advance.
For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]
