Girl's guide 2.0

Toxic friendships

What toxic friends do:

Everyone has good and bad days. On a bad day, kindness doesn't always come easily, even with loved ones. So, how can you tell the difference between a truly toxic frie

Bad days vs. bad vibes
A good friend having a bad day might snap at you or seem distant, but they are likely apologize once they calm down.

Toxic friends, on the other hand, tend to follow a pattern. They won't show much regret or inclination to change, even when they realize they made you feel bad.

•Put you down

•Gossip

•Apologize without sincerity

•Make you feel nervous
Unpredictability alone doesn't necessarily indicate someone is toxic, but when their reactions could cause harm or feel abusive, it's wise to proceed with caution.If you never know how they'll react, you might have a hard time feeling comfortable around them.

•Leave you unsettled
Spending time with a close friend should make you feel good, generally speaking. Maybe spending time with one particular friend leaves you uneasy or upset.

•Compare you to other people

•Put themselves front and center — always
Ever had a fair-weather friend? They drop in when things are going well or when they need something, but when you're struggling, you can't reach them at all.

How toxic friendships affect you

*You feel lonely and isolated

*You don't feel supported

*Your stress increases

*You often feel off-balance

*Your self-confidence and self-esteem drop

*You blame yourself for their behavior

What to do in toxic friendships

~Set boundaries

~Take space for yourself

~It's OK to want to offer a second chance

~Be direct

~Think carefully before getting back in touch

~Take care of yourself
Once you end a toxic friendship, take some time to focus on yourself.

You went through something painful and difficult, so it's perfectly reasonable to need some time to heal.

Practice good self-care by:

spending time with loved ones
making time for quality sleep
focusing on enjoyable hobbies
Fill your life with positive things and reach out for support if you need it.

~The bottom line
Ending a toxic friendship can be challenging, and it's completely normal to need a little extra support at any part of the process. A therapist can help you begin exploring your feelings about the friendship and consider options for ending it or repairing it.

All in the best

~MODIRI❣️