Having a solid support system is essential for good mental health. If your friends are constantly tearing you down, making fun of you, or guilting you into doing something that you’re not comfortable with, chances are your friendship is toxic. Cutting these people off is the best decision for your well-being (and future!).
You should always surround yourself with people who support and uplift you. Befriend individuals who promote you to be your best self and let you flourish. Being friends with people who bring out the better side of you not only promotes healthy relationship building, but also allows you to develop healthy habits that can contribute to the betterment of different aspects in your life.
“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” – Khalil Gibran
For example, being friends with people who understand that you need to study, causing you to cancel on an event because you have an important exam the following day may result in a better outcome than if you were friends with someone who gets angry when you cancel on them for the same reason – even if you explained the reasoning behind your decision. A good friend understands where you’re coming from. A good friend wants the best for you. A bad friend will make you feel guilty for making responsible decisions.
A good friend wont:
- Make you feel uncomfortable
- Make you feel guilty
- Dismiss your problems
- Talk behind your back
- Lie to you
- Put you in uncomfortable situations
- Laugh at your misfortune
- Gaslight you
- Insult you
If someone in your friend group comes to mind when reading this blog article, carefully re-evaluate your friendship. You should not feel hurt by someone you willingly choose to spend your time with. You deserve it to yourself to surround yourself with a supportive group of people, make sure you’re being an uplifting friend, too.
“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” – Henry Ford