Signs of Toxic Friends

They are disengaged from your life

A genuine friend is just that genuine, so if they ask how you are, they’ll be sure to listen and show the support they care about you and merely want to get to know you better. Here’s to hoping you show as much support and care toward them too. How much interest does your friend show in your life? Do they ask you how your day was? If they do, do they listen, or do they look like they can’t wait until they can talk next?

They constantly criticize

Remember that your friends shouldn’t be your biggest critic; they should be your biggest fans because some false friends can be critical of their friends. Some friends can provide constructive criticism because they want the best for you and to see you succeed; if they are excellent friends, they will probably do it in a nice and friendly manner. If your friend is toxic, they probably won’t offer constructive criticism but will instead shame you. They might only offer a gentle dosage of candor if they are a good friend.

You cannot count on them

Friends are there for you, especially when you’re going through a difficult moment. If your friends constantly complain about themselves and their issues without considering your own, they are probably not true friends. When it’s your turn to share your troubles with someone, what if they abruptly cut you off with, “Oh, I have to go,” or don’t even bother to ask? I had to take out the garbage today since so many dishes were stacked up and smelled so horrible. Jason never called me back. My ferret died.

Unless this is a rare occurrence with them, and they’re going through something, don’t even bother with them because they are not your friend. They’re probably focusing all their bad energy on you and stealing your positive energy without giving back.

Fake apology

If your friend dismisses your friendship concerns with a look of meh, they are probably not a genuine friend. If your friend apologizes when they are wrong but does so in a way that sounds more like, “I’m sorry you feel that way,” they are not accepting responsibility for their harmful actions and failing to own up to what they have done. Good friends can admit when they are wrong.

Hold grudges

Do you harbor resentment toward folks who your friend has a grudge against? toxic friendships frequently involve one or both friends keeping score of the mistakes the other has made to do something that upsets them again, or perhaps you’re in an argument, and they bring up all the disappointments and negative things you’ve said are done. Arguments can sometimes get out of hand, but a toxic friend will tend to bring up the toxic scoreboard only when confronted with their wrongs. They’ll use all the times you did something similar as a meaningful way to get their way. A good friend is truthful and attentive to their friend’s worries.

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This post was previously published on medium.com.

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