Friendship is one of the most precious relationships in the world. You find someone to share everything with, to make memories with. But not all friendships work out as you hope for them too.

Some hurt you more than help you. And in that case, sometimes you have to leave the friendship. And if you do leave, you shouldn't feel bad for leaving something that was bad for you.

There are many different manifestations of a toxic friendship. If your friend verbally critiques you, only telling you all of the things that are wrong with you, that's a sign you should get out of it.

Another sign is if they prey on your insecurities to get what they want. If they know you are too kind to say no, especially to them considering they're your friend, they will use that against you to benefit them, not really caring about how it makes you feel in the end.

However, it's easier said than done to leave a friendship. Especially if you have known them for a long time or made memories with them. Maybe even part of you hopes that they will go back to the friend that you once loved, the one who didn't make you feel used. Sometimes these thoughts can prevent you from leaving the friendship for a long time until your mental health is continually affected by their toxicity.

If you do decide to leave the friendship, either by letting them know that you can't take it anymore or because of some falling out, it may hurt like hell. To think of the friend you are losing and the memories that you will look back on and feel sad about, wishing things could somehow miraculously go back to the way things were before, those are some of the hardest emotions to face.

But in the end, if you truly believe it's better for you and your mental health to leave that friendship, you won't regret it. You may get flashes of memories and sadness where they are concerned, but you can consider yourself stronger because of it. You decided what was best for you and you put your health first, despite the pain it might cause.

If you've had a toxic friend and you've decided to leave the friendship, try your hardest to convince yourself that you did what was best. You realized the kind of friend that you deserve, and that you don't, and you decided to make that decision. If it's better for you, I promise you it was a good decision. Don't ever regret putting yourself and your mental health first.