It's pretty easy to scroll through your Facebook or Instagram and decide to unfollow or delete a few "friends." And by "friends," I mean high-school peers who were sort of jerks, college colleagues you barely recognize, those who post super political posts that you fervently disagree with, people you haven't spoken to in ages, and people you don't intend on speaking to now.
It's pretty easy to virtually delete. But outside the screen, face-to-face, IRL? That gets a bit more tricky.
Just like a relationship gone sour, there certain friendships that are toxic, and certain friends that you need to un-friend, in the real world.
1. The friend who makes everything about them.
The world revolves around this friend - or at least they think it does. Any other person's problem becomes their problem. You're talking about a terrible break-up and pretty soon they're talking about their break-up that was even worse than yours.
2. The friend who encourages you to make poor choices.
It's great to do some crazy stuff with your friends. But there are the friends that are just plain bad for you. Whether they're getting you into sketchy situations or encouraging you to skip class or ditch an important commitment, you have to evaluate whether a perpetual hangover and an unclear conscious should be a consistent part of your life.
3. The friend who likes to bring you down.
You always end up feeling self-conscious about yourself because of this person. This friend is toxic. Real friends love you and make you feel like the amazing person you are.
4. The friend who is an emotional rollercoaster.
Friends should be there for each other, during the good and the bad times. But with this friend, it's as if there are no good times. Any bit of drama is apocalyptic, every problem is the end of the world. It can get annoying and very draining.
5. The friend who always flakes.
This person is notorious for agreeing to plans and then flaking last minute when you're already dressed and out the door. Flaking once or twice is forgivable, but once flaking becomes perpetual and a risk for making plans with this friend, it's time to reconsider if you should make any plans at all.
6. The friend who LOVES drama.
Starting it, talking about it, this friend loves any sort of drama. Though gossiping can be fun and listening to all the information about everyone can be fun, beware: your secrets are not safe with this friend.
7. The friend who is never there for you when you need it.
When this friend is going through a break-up, or got a bad grade, or is going through personal stuff, you're there for them. But when you need them, they're nowhere to be found. Or even if they are physically present to hear about your problems, you feel like your problems are insignificant and unimportant. True friends are there for you, no matter what.
8. The friend who talks sh*t about you behind your back.
Maybe they're jealous. Maybe they want to feel superior. Maybe they don't like you as much as you thought. Regardless, it doesn't matter, because no real friend would trash talk you.
9. The friend you have nothing in common with.
You're not really sure why you're friends with this person. Maybe you two used to be pretty good friends, or in the same friend group, but you've grown apart to be completely different, completely incompatible people. When you do hang out alone, every once in a while, it feels super awkward.
10. The friend who mooches.
Friends are there to help you when times are tough. But you know the difference between friends helping each other out and a one-sided relationship where you're giving way more than you receive.
