Are you in a toxic friendship? Karina Aybar-Jacobs is a licensed therapist who was a guest on the Today show, where she talked about 6 warning signs you can use to figure out if that friendship you’re in is a toxic one.
- They don’t respect your boundaries. You should be able to lay down boundaries that your friends respect and want to uphold on your behalf.
- They are always asking for something. Be wary of the friends that take, take, take without giving much back in return. Ask yourself what you’re really getting from the relationship after all?
- They’re not good at accountability. If you’ve tried to call out a friend before and they responded with harsh criticisms or mean words, then they might not be interested in growing in that friendship. It’s OK to outgrow people.
- They weaponize their struggles. Everyone goes through hard things, but using those hard things against someone or as a tool in an argument will never be worth the struggle.
- They try to own you. If you are made to feel guilty for spending time with people other than that person, that’s a huge red flag. It’s a red flag that’s easier to recognize in romantic relationships but still applies for friendships, too. Sharing is caring.
- They dismiss your values. We are too old to be giving in to peer pressure, so don’t hang out with the people who try to make you give in, in any way. It’s never worth it.