Red Flags To Look Out For In Friendships: How To Spot Them

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Let's acknowledge one thing! Like romantic relationships, all friendships are also not good or healthy, some can be really toxic and even if they are they are laden with red flags and warning signs, sometimes we ignore the signs and brush them away.

Friends are those people who help us to grow to become a better version of ourselves. They are the ones who we confide in. They make us feel lucky, celebrate our achievements, and become our support system whenever we need them or go through a crisis. However, does it feel like a one-sided thing every day? If yes, then it is high time that you are able to differentiate between a friend and a bully.

We have curated the red flags that you need to watch out for in friendships and here's how you can spot them.

1. You Feel Drained
   Hanging out with friends is a happy thing and therefore, it should not feel like a chore. It should be easy and not like a pressure cooker. If you feel that some energy vampire has sucked out all your energy whenever you meet them, then you need to step back from those friendships.

2. They Put You Down
   Humour is good but bullying is not. If you are part of a group that cracks jokes at your expense, and constantly bullies you in the name of jokes, then it is not funny and you need to remove these people from your friend circle.
3. They Always Want To Party
   Having or throwing a party is not a bad thing but if that is the only thing that is happening in a relationship and all that is happening is either drinking or partying, then it is a red flag you must avoid and it is not healthy for your relationship.

4. They Blame You For Everything
   If your friends vent their anger on you and complain about you all the time, it means they do not accept you for who you are. In times of crisis, if they are not becoming your solid and positive support system then it is time to close door on those friendships.
5. Dating And Breaking Up Constantly
   There is nothing wrong with dating a friend and being part of the same group, but if the dating and breaking up thing is happening constantly then it is a sign that the relationship or friendship you are part of is neither happy nor healthy. Constant fluctuations of emotions can be stressful for any relationship.
6. Being Dismissive Of Your Achievements And Interests
   They discard or dismiss all your achievements, interests, and things that really make you happy. Meanwhile, everything they do is super cool and interesting no matter how silly or mundane they are. This is the time to read the warning signs and step out of the relationship to avoid going into a negative spiral.

7. They Do Not Respect Your Boundaries
   If your friends do not respect your boundaries, and cross them over and over again, then it is something you should not ignore. Not giving someone their own space to grow in is never considered healthy and is a huge reason why that friendship is not healthy for you.

8. They Reject Your Problems
   Friends are the ones who are like anchors in our lives but if you are part of a group that constantly rejects your problems, and never shows support in difficult circumstances, then you need to move away from these people and make new friends.

9. Justifying Your Friendships To Others
   If you are constantly justifying your friendships to others and don't like being spotted with them in public or seen in their company then it is very much possible that you are part of a toxic group and you already know it but somehow fail to move away from it.