These signs of a bad friend will open your eyes to the toxic friendships holding you back, and help you finally walk away with clarity.<\/span><\/h2>\nEver leave a hangout with a friend and feel more drained than before? Like they sucked the joy out of your weekend and somehow made you<\/em> feel guilty for it? That\u2019s not friendship, that\u2019s emotional erosion. And if that sounds familiar, it might be time to pay attention to the signs you have bad friends. Sometimes, the signs of a bad toxic friendship is far more subtle than you think. \ud83d\udcda Source: R F Hunter, et al., 2022, Friendship Quality and Psychological Well-being<\/p>\n [Read: Good friends are like stars \u2013 18 was to build lasting friendships]<\/p>\n
Bad friendship signs to spot so you can drop them ASAP<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re growing a little suspicious of those people you refer to as friends, you may need to know a few bad friend signs to indicate that they\u2019re not actually good friends at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1. You\u2019re always the first to initiate a hangout<\/span><\/h3>\nWhen you\u2019re the only person reaching out and, well,\u00a0caring<\/em>, it\u2019s a problem. A friend who never wants to spend time with you probably isn\u2019t a good friend. <\/p>\nIf they don\u2019t reach out just to catch up and see you, they likely only reach out when they need you. [Read:\u00a0Woah there! Signs you\u2019re coming on way too strong]<\/p>\n
2. Your texts go unanswered<\/span><\/h3>\nWhenever you send out texts, you hardly get replies. Then maybe a week later you\u2019ll get a text apologizing, only to realize it\u2019s because they need something from you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These types of people are bad friends. They don\u2019t truly care about you or they\u2019d respond no matter what.<\/p>\n
3. They get mad at you for stuff they do all the time<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is a sign of a major bad friend. They have so many double standards. They can ignore your texts but if more than a couple of hours goes by without you responding, they get pissed. This isn\u2019t a true friendship. <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
![\"MIRL\"](\"https:\/\/www.lovepanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MIRL-1-large.png\")
<\/p><\/div>\n
Ditch them. [Read:\u00a034 signs to know how and when to end a friendship that\u2019s toxic and hurting you]<\/p>\n
4. They don\u2019t support your goals<\/span><\/h3>\nAnyone who doesn\u2019t fully support your goals doesn\u2019t belong in your life. As long as what you want to do is moral and doesn\u2019t harm anyone else or yourself, they should be on your side.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They shouldn\u2019t be sitting there making passive-aggressive comments about it. Nor should they doubt you. <\/p>\n
5. They\u2019re talking bad about you behind your back<\/span><\/h3>\nIf people tell you that others are talking behind your back, then you clearly have really bad friends. They\u2019re not friends if they\u2019re being mean to you and this is one of the bad friend signs to look for. <\/p>\n
Sure, friends can be annoyed with you but actually talking bad about you is a whole other, more harmful thing. [Read:\u00a023 signs of a mean person, why they\u2019re bitter and how to handle them]<\/p>\n
6. They talk badly about people you care about<\/span><\/h3>\nOn the flip side, they might be talking trash to your face, just about other people you still like and care about.\u00a0And you shouldn\u2019t ever tolerate that. It\u2019s terrible.<\/p>\n
It can be your family members or just other people. If they\u2019re talking bad about others to you, they\u2019re probably talking bad about you to others. Get rid of those terrible friends.<\/p>\n
7. They prevent you from having fun<\/span><\/h3>\nIf they\u2019re just full of negativity, they\u2019re going to prevent you from having a good time. That\u2019s just how those types of people work. <\/p>\n
Whenever you go out for a good time, they end up making it horrible and they spoil all the fun. [Read:\u00a0Negative Nancy \u2013 what makes one, 18 traits, and ways to deal with their attitude]<\/p>\n
8. Their drama always leaks over into your life<\/span><\/h3>\nEven if you have nothing to do with their other group of friends, you somehow end up tangled in their drama. When a person makes your life worse instead of better and just adds more harmful things to it, they\u2019re not good friends. <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
![\"MIRL\"](\"https:\/\/www.lovepanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MIRL_ad_1.png\")
<\/p><\/div>\n
9. You feel like you don\u2019t really have friends<\/span><\/h3>\nEven though you have people you call \u201cfriends,\u201d you don\u2019t feel like you truly have a friendship. If you feel lonely even when you\u2019re surrounded by those people, we hate to break it to you, but you have awful friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No true friend would ever make you feel this way. [Read:\u00a0How to not feel lonely \u2013 30 ways to chase the lonely blues away]<\/p>\n
10. You feel judged for your choices<\/span><\/h3>\nMost people understand the feeling of being judged. You feel afraid to open up to your friends for fear of them judging you too harshly and making you feel bad for things.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If that\u2019s the case for you, then you don\u2019t really have good friends. <\/p>\n
First of all, you should always feel comfortable going to your friends with anything. That\u2019s the whole point of having friends, right? For them to help you out. <\/p>\n
If they make you feel judged, they\u2019re not the type of people you should be spending your time with. <\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Want to understand bad friends better? Read these guides:<\/strong><\/p>\n11. They don\u2019t make you feel better when you\u2019re upset<\/span><\/h3>\nOne of the best things about having good friends is being able to confide in them. When you can\u2019t do that or you know your friends will only make you feel worse, then they\u2019re not good friends.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the point of having friends when they don\u2019t do good things for you when you\u2019re upset? If they\u2019ll only make rude comments or tell you how wrong you were, get new friends. [Read:\u00a0One-sided friendship \u2013 15 signs it\u2019s time you cut them out of your life]<\/p>\n
12. Your problems don\u2019t matter to them<\/span><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019re going through a crisis but your friends don\u2019t care, you don\u2019t have friends. You have people who just call themselves your friends. More than likely, they\u2019re just very selfish people.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
![\"MIRL\"](\"https:\/\/www.lovepanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MIRL_ad_2.png\")
<\/p><\/div>\n
They don\u2019t care about your problems but the second they have an issue, they expect you to be right there. Ditch these types of \u201cfriends\u201d and find better ones. [Read:\u00a029 signs someone is detached and doesn\u2019t care about your feelings]<\/p>\n
13. You\u2019d rather just relax by yourself than be with them<\/span><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019d rather not see your friends and spend your time alone just because of how negative you feel whenever you\u2019re around them, that\u2019s a big red flag.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You should want to spend time with your friends. You should want to be around them and have fun with them. If you\u2019d rather be by yourself, there\u2019s a real problem here.<\/p>\n
14. Other friends are pointing out the problem person<\/span><\/h3>\nIf your other friends are continuously telling you that a specific person is an issue, listen to them. They aren\u2019t just telling you that to make you mad. They might just see that those people are negative even if you can\u2019t. [Read: 27 fun ways to make new friends and mistakes to avoid]<\/p>\n
15. They always leave you waiting<\/span><\/h3>\nIf you have bad friends, they are probably always late when they meet you. <\/p>\n
You show up on time but they leave you waiting there for them for what seems like forever. And of course, you get angry because you could be doing something else with that wasted time.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s two minutes or two hours that they keep you waiting, it\u2019s just plain rude. There is no reason to keep people waiting unless they\u2019re on a power trip. [Read:\u00a0Is a friend using you? 40 signs and bold ways to confront and handle them]<\/p>\n
16. They give you the silent treatment<\/span><\/h3>\nIf your so-called friend is angry with you, they might not even tell you. They think you should have to figure it out when they give you the silent treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even when you ask what\u2019s wrong, they either won\u2019t tell you or they won\u2019t accept your apology. <\/p>\n
Giving someone the silent treatment is disrespectful. It\u2019s even worse than yelling at them, because at least when you are yelling at them, you are acknowledging their presence. But when they give you the cold shoulder, it\u2019s like they are pretending you don\u2019t even exist. <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
![\"MIRL\"](\"https:\/\/www.lovepanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MIRL_ad_3.png\")
<\/p><\/div>\n
[Read:\u00a0Silent treatment abuse \u2013 how it\u2019s used and 40 ways to respond to it]<\/p>\n
17. They are not self-aware<\/span><\/h3>\nEveryone else can see how negative they are. You all see their bad behavior, and it\u2019s pretty obvious to you, but not to your so-called friend. They have no idea how they are behaving because they have zero self-awareness.<\/p>\n
They don\u2019t know how their behavior is negatively affecting other people. And if they did, they probably wouldn\u2019t even care. They are so busy criticizing other people that they never take a look in the mirror to see who they really are. [Read:\u00a0Codependent friendship \u2013 the bad signs and why it\u2019s unhealthy for you]<\/p>\n
18. They\u2019re selfish<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is certainly a sign of a bad friend. Some people are \u201cgivers\u201d and some people are \u201ctakers.\u201d If you are a giver, then your bad friend is probably a \u201ctaker.\u201d <\/p>\n
They have no problem being selfish. Everything is all about them, and they don\u2019t care about your needs at all.<\/p>\n
The relationship is always one-sided with you always giving, and them always taking. [Read:\u00a0Selfish people \u2013 20 ways to spot and stop them from hurting you]<\/p>\n
19. They take advantage of you<\/span><\/h3>\nIf they need to borrow money, they have no problem calling you to ask for it. Or, if they need a ride somewhere, you are the first person they call. They are always taking advantage of you and making you feel used, like a doormat.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s never okay to take advantage of other people. It is a horrible thing to do. So, if you think that you\u2019re being taken advantage of by your friend, it\u2019s time to stop doing things for them.<\/p>\n
20. You imagine a life without them and like it<\/span><\/h3>\nPerhaps the biggest sign of a bad friend of all, you like the idea of a life without them init. Daydreaming about a life without a specific person and enjoying it means they shouldn\u2019t be in your life. Listen to your instincts. [Read:\u00a0Am I a bad friend? 16 bad friendship skills that push people away]<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
![\"MIRL\"](\"https:\/\/www.lovepanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MIRL-5-large.png\")
<\/p><\/div>\n
The good side of having good friends in your life<\/span><\/h2>\nGood friends can be your greatest allies in life. Besides supporting you and providing helpful advice, they are also meant to be there for you through both good times and bad.<\/p>\n
They can act as your support group, your shopping buddies, the shoulders to cry on, and the ones you can spoil and do little favors for, just because. If you have people like these in your life, count yourself lucky!<\/p>\n
Studies have shown that close, emotionally supportive friendships are one of the strongest predictors of long-term mental and physical well-being. \ud83d\udcda Source: Umberson, D., et al., 2010, Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy<\/p>\n
But along with good friends, there may be a couple of toxic ones lurking in your social circle. Bad friendships really are the worst. <\/p>\n
They\u2019re the ones who bring you down and make you feel unwanted. They\u2019re the types of friends who bring nothing but trouble. And they\u2019re the ones who are so selfish that they think the world will unconditionally love them. <\/p>\n
But most importantly, they\u2019re the ones you should want out of your life. [Read: How to be a good friend \u2013 49 traits and friend codes that define a real pal]<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Want to decode a bad friend\u2019s mind? Start with these features:<\/strong><\/p>\nWhy you should never tolerate bad friends<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you want to make your life better and richer, surround yourself with positive people who really care about you. That\u2019s really the basis of a good, happy life.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why you should never tolerate less-than-amazing friends. If they\u2019re not adding anything to your life or not building you up, they\u2019re not worth it. [Read:\u00a0Toxic friends \u2013 22 types, 54 signs, and ways to end friendships that hurt you]<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
![\"MIRL\"](\"https:\/\/www.lovepanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MIRL_ad_4.png\")
<\/p><\/div>\n
Research shows that toxic friendships don\u2019t just weigh you down emotionally, they also activate your body\u2019s stress response, increasing cortisol and weakening your immune system over time. \ud83d\udcda Source: Slavich, G. M., & Cole, S. W., 2013, The Emerging Field of Human Social Genomics<\/p>\n
Here are the reasons you should never tolerate terrible friends:<\/p>\n
1. They\u2019re exhausting<\/span><\/h3>\nWhen you\u2019re around negative people, they act like an \u201cenergy vampire.\u201d In other words, they suck all the life out of you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When you spend time with them, you feel drained and unhappy. But life is simply too short to be so exhausted. [Read:\u00a0What is an energy vampire? 19 signs to spot them in your life]<\/p>\n
2. They drag you down<\/span><\/h3>\nIf they are so tiring, then that will drag you down too. Maybe they are always complaining and being negative.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Well, that might be making you into a negative person too just because you\u2019re around them so much. And that\u2019s not healthy for you.<\/p>\n
3. They\u2019re disrespectful<\/span><\/h3>\nEveryone deserves to be respected. But if you have a bad friend, you don\u2019t get the respect that you need. So, why would you want to be around someone like that?\u00a0It\u2019s nothing short of a bad friendship. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s much more refreshing to be around people who treat you right. [Read:\u00a0Fair-weather friends \u2013 20 signs that your friend doesn\u2019t care about you]<\/p>\n
4. They affect your mental health<\/span><\/h3>\nBecause you are drained by them and they are dragging you down in this bad friendship, it can ultimately affect your mental health. <\/p>\n
They might make you anxious or even depressed. This negativity can also manifest in your physical health if it goes on too long. \ud83d\udcda Source: Debra Umberson, et al., 2010, Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy. <\/p>\n
Do you really need to jeopardize your happiness to be with these friends?<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you don\u2019t have friends, you\u2019re considered a loner or just plain weird. You may even be shaking your head and telling yourself you need friends even if you know deep inside that they\u2019re not good for you.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
![\"MIRL\"](\"https:\/\/www.lovepanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/MIRL_ad_5.png\")
<\/p><\/div>\n
But just for a second, think about this. As much as you\u2019re having fun with this person, are they still making you feel miserable, needy, or just less than happy in your everyday life?<\/p>\n
Is it worth spending a few hours with someone if they make you feel worse every other day of the week? A bad friendship just isn\u2019t worth your time or effort. [Read: Is a friend using you? 40 signs and bold ways to confront and handle them]<\/p>\n
The types of friends you need to unfriend for your own sanity<\/span><\/h2>\nSometimes, you need to cut a few wrong types of friends and move away from them. Yes, it\u2019ll hurt. Yes, you may feel lonely for a while.<\/p>\n
But, over the long term, you\u2019ll be happier and in a better place in your life.<\/p>\n
Want to know the different kinds of friends you need to keep your distance from? Here are 25 types of bad friends who make your life just a little bit worse every time you hang out with them.<\/p>\n
1. The selfish friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is the type of bad friendship with a person who thinks everything revolves around them. They only hang out with you or do things when it suits their own purpose, and they won\u2019t be caught dead doing something nice for someone else unless they have an ulterior motive.<\/p>\n
2. The always-unavailable friend<\/span><\/h3>\nYou know the one who always wants to get together, but when you try to make a plan, they remind you of how busy they are?<\/p>\n
Their calendar never seems to clear up, but they still want to be on your friends list\u2026 without doing any of the actual friend activities, that is. It\u2019s nothing short of a bad friendship that\u2019s taking advantage of you. <\/p>\n
3. The excuse lover<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is the friend who has an excuse for everything. They couldn\u2019t meet you? There\u2019s an excuse. They lied to you about something and you caught them? There\u2019s a bigger excuse.<\/p>\n
Every single time you confront them about anything, they lie right through their teeth. And over time, your expectations from them stoop so low you don\u2019t even care if they\u2019re exploiting you. [Read: 41honest reasons why you have no friends that care and steps to fix it ASAP]<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
4. The self-esteem destroyer<\/span><\/h3>\nReal friends will love you for who you are, but bad friends will wreak havoc on your self-esteem in order to protect their own fragile self-worth.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s fat-shaming or pointing out all your flaws on a regular basis, this friend needs a kick to the curb.<\/p>\n
5. The bad advice counselor<\/span><\/h3>\nThis friend always gives you the worst advice, and they get their kicks out of your life mistakes. They might make you break up with your boyfriend, or convince you that your girlfriend is cheating on you, just because misery loves company. <\/p>\n
If they don\u2019t have your best interests at heart, they aren\u2019t a friend. Period. If anything, it\u2019s an extremely bad friendship. [Read: Signs your friends are ruining your relationship]<\/p>\n
6. The single friend who dumps you when they\u2019re in a relationship<\/span><\/h3>\nThis person only crops up when they are single. Attempt to contact them while they are in a relationship and prepare to hear radio silence.<\/p>\n
7. The user<\/span><\/h3>\nThis \u201cfriend\u201d uses you as a wingman\/woman, to buy the drinks at the club, to be the designated driver, and the list goes on.<\/p>\n
They won\u2019t go out with you unless you have some kind of benefit for them. This one doubles as the selfish friend, and they are a bottomless pit of greed. <\/p>\n
8. The friend you\u2019re in love with<\/span><\/h3>\nThis friend is the person that you remain friends with despite being hopelessly in love with them. They are either oblivious or don\u2019t reciprocate the feeling.<\/p>\n
Being around them will only either expose you to their romantic exploits with other partners *ouch* or the blatant fact that they only see you as a friend *double ouch*. Either \u2018fess up or keep your distance. It\u2019s a bad friendship for you to be in. [Read: 17 must-knows to ask a friend out on a date subtly and not risk the friendship]<\/p>\n
9. The financially depleting friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThe one who always makes plans to do things that involve dropping huge amounts of cash on the regular, where you end up feeling guilty for wanting to stay in or save your money. They give you the \u201chuh?\u201d look when you mention money being an issue. <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
You may not be on the same page, financially or otherwise.<\/p>\n
10. The influencer friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThe one who will only walk around with you if you look good. They will give you a weird look when you walk out in sweats while they\u2019re dressed to kill.<\/p>\n
They are looking for an entourage based on looks, not on actually building solid friendships for life. All these people want is an audience, and they really aren\u2019t the type to be around for the long haul. [Read: Fake friends \u2013 42 signs and ways to tell them apart from real friends who care]<\/p>\n
11. The yo-yo friend<\/span><\/h3>\nOne day, they\u2019re your best friend, and the next, you catch them with matching BFF bracelets with that other person they swore they hated last week.<\/p>\n
This person is always between friends. If you get on their bad side, they won\u2019t be by your side for long but will come crying back when they realize the grass isn\u2019t any greener over there. So, another bad friendship! [Read: Being taken for granted? 71 BIG signs, why it happens, and ways to stop them]<\/p>\n
12. The \u201cfriend\u201d who\u2019s trying to sleep with you<\/span><\/h3>\nThese types of friends don\u2019t really want to be your friend at all. All they\u2019re doing is secretly hoping for your current relationship to fail or for you to get drunk enough to sleep with them.<\/p>\n
These friends will flirt with you and ask hypothetical questions about the two of you hooking up. [Read: Subtle signs your BFF is secretly trying to seduce you]<\/p>\n
13. The friend with baggage<\/span><\/h3>\nThey are always showing up with a new guy or girl on their arm, and they can\u2019t seem to hang out with you unless they have an \u201cother half\u201d present. <\/p>\n
They\u2019re also quick to land you with their stories of woe or all the other dramas they\u2019ve got going on. It\u2019s a super bad friendship! <\/p>\n
14. The long-time friend you have nothing in common with anymore<\/span><\/h3>\nYou had some wild times in college together, and until now, they\u2019re still hitting up clubs every weekend, while in school for the third time, all while they\u2019re married with kids.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
You just can\u2019t seem to find common ground, other than laughing about your old college stories. Leave it in the past. It\u2019s wasted time. [Read: Losing a friend \u2013 30 ways to face the pain of best friends just drifting away]<\/p>\n
15. The negative friend<\/span><\/h3>\nWhenever you bring up something great, they bring up something in the news that you should be worried about. <\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s epidemics, the declining economy, the failing marriage rates, or how hard it is to find a good significant other in today\u2019s world, they are constantly complaining or worrying about one thing or another.<\/p>\n
These people will drain you of your good vibes and energy. They need to be avoided if you don\u2019t want to be sucked into their pit of constant negativity. <\/p>\n
16. The needy friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is the friend who can\u2019t seem to do anything on their own. They always need advice on how to respond to their crush\u2019s text, their clothing choices, and right down to the types of food they should eat. This friendship is exhausting and pointless, to say the least.<\/p>\n
17. The backstabber<\/span><\/h3>\nThey smile in your face, but every other day, you hear something backstabbing-worthy from another mutual friend.<\/p>\n
Whether they don\u2019t believe you deserve your promotion at work, think you don\u2019t deserve your partner, or poke fun at how you gained five pounds on vacation, these are among the worst types of friends. Remove them from your life before they destroy your reputation. [Read: Be careful who you trust \u2013 15 ways to recognize the backstabbers]<\/p>\n
18. The flaky friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThis friend is the flaky one, the one who is always making plans and then canceling at the last minute.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no telling what kind of excuse they\u2019ll magically come up with, especially when you feel like you\u2019ve already heard them all before. [Read: Flaky friend \u2013 what it means, 30 reasons why they flake, and signs to ditch them]<\/p>\n
19. The jealous friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThis type of friend seems like a friend. But every time there\u2019s something good in your life, you can swear you see their eyes go green.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
They may seem like a good friend, but you can\u2019t help but see the envy change into pure jealousy and hatred when you\u2019re around them. [Read: 46 secrets to stop being jealous for no reason and learn to live envy-free]<\/p>\n
20. The friend who lets you down<\/span><\/h3>\nWho hasn\u2019t come across one of these friends these days? They take flakiness to a whole new level. They promise something big, like traveling on a vacation together, being by your side through a difficult time, or even moving to a new country for a year.<\/p>\n
But when you\u2019re all set and ready to make this big life change, they drop the bomb and back out, and leave you out to dry, and all alone. [Read: Why do I feel all alone? The answers that can change your life]<\/p>\n
21. The friend who hurts you often<\/span><\/h3>\nEither through their words or their behavior. If you have a friend who leaves you feeling teary-eyed, or someone who you just don\u2019t trust with a small piece of your heart, they should have no place in your life!<\/p>\n
22. The narcissistic friend<\/span><\/h3>\nOh, haven\u2019t we all come across this one? The friend who thinks they\u2019re a trophy to be won, this friend makes absolutely no effort once they\u2019ve hooked you.<\/p>\n
At the beginning, they behave like you two are besties for life. And then they show their true colors. They blow hot and cold often, leave you confused all the time, AND they expect you to do everything you can to keep them happy. [Read: Why do narcissists ignore you, your texts, and do the selfish things they do?]<\/p>\n
23. The distracted friend<\/span><\/h3>\nEver heard of phubbing? This type of friend has mastered the art of staying distracted throughout the conversation with you.<\/p>\n
They don\u2019t listen to you, they don\u2019t care about the things happening in your life, and they\u2019re perpetually distracted by something \u201cbetter\u201d on their phone. Seriously, makes you wonder why are they even hanging out with you in the first place. <\/p>\n
24. The energy vampire friend<\/span><\/h3>\nDo you feel completely drained and tired after spending an hour or two with a friend? And do they seem invigorated and happy every time they leave you after unloading their emotional burden on you? <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
Cue the energy vampire! Stay away from them. <\/p>\n
25. The friend who holds you back from success<\/span><\/h3>\nLook, gathering motivation is hard enough. And just as you muster enough motivation after scooping motivational quotes for several days, do you have a friend who walks right in and dashes all of your dreams against the rocks because \u201cit\u2019s not worth it\u201d?<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Wondering why some friends are so bad? Read these features:<\/strong><\/p>\nWith friends like these, who needs enemies, right?<\/span><\/h2>\nDo you really HAVE to end your friendship with these types of friends, because of a few small, bad traits? Honestly, you don\u2019t have to end them.<\/p>\n
These days, people are just way more self-obsessed than ever before. So one of the things we\u2019ve learned to accept is putting up with someone\u2019s bad behavior.<\/p>\n
BUT here\u2019s what you need to remember. Every time you put up with or tolerate someone who hurts you, you\u2019re acknowledging that you\u2019re okay with being treated badly by others. Do you need that kind of stress? [Read: 33 secrets to be true to yourself and 15 signs you need to unfake your life]<\/p>\n
Hold the right friends close, and keep the rest at arm\u2019s length<\/span><\/h2>\nHonestly, we\u2019d recommend just ditching these types of friends when you spot the signs that they\u2019re a bad friend. <\/p>\n
But if you can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to, at least limit the time you spend with them. Focus on the friends who want the best for you, and the ones you feel the same toward.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t need 5000 friends just to make your social media accounts look cool. Leave those friends on social media. And focus on the few true ones who you trust will be there for you, standing outside your door at 3 am after you\u2019ve called them.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
[Read: Good friends are like stars \u2013 18 ways to build lasting friendships]<\/p>\n
Life\u2019s way too short to feel small, judged, or drained by the people who are supposed<\/em> to be your safe space. If you see the signs you have bad friends, don\u2019t second guess what your gut\u2019s telling you. The right friendships won\u2019t leave you questioning your worth, they\u2019ll remind you of it every time.<\/strong><\/p>\n
[Read: Good friends are like stars \u2013 18 was to build lasting friendships]<\/p>\n
Bad friendship signs to spot so you can drop them ASAP<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re growing a little suspicious of those people you refer to as friends, you may need to know a few bad friend signs to indicate that they\u2019re not actually good friends at all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1. You\u2019re always the first to initiate a hangout<\/span><\/h3>\nWhen you\u2019re the only person reaching out and, well,\u00a0caring<\/em>, it\u2019s a problem. A friend who never wants to spend time with you probably isn\u2019t a good friend. <\/p>\nIf they don\u2019t reach out just to catch up and see you, they likely only reach out when they need you. [Read:\u00a0Woah there! Signs you\u2019re coming on way too strong]<\/p>\n
2. Your texts go unanswered<\/span><\/h3>\nWhenever you send out texts, you hardly get replies. Then maybe a week later you\u2019ll get a text apologizing, only to realize it\u2019s because they need something from you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These types of people are bad friends. They don\u2019t truly care about you or they\u2019d respond no matter what.<\/p>\n
3. They get mad at you for stuff they do all the time<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is a sign of a major bad friend. They have so many double standards. They can ignore your texts but if more than a couple of hours goes by without you responding, they get pissed. This isn\u2019t a true friendship. <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
Ditch them. [Read:\u00a034 signs to know how and when to end a friendship that\u2019s toxic and hurting you]<\/p>\n
4. They don\u2019t support your goals<\/span><\/h3>\nAnyone who doesn\u2019t fully support your goals doesn\u2019t belong in your life. As long as what you want to do is moral and doesn\u2019t harm anyone else or yourself, they should be on your side.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They shouldn\u2019t be sitting there making passive-aggressive comments about it. Nor should they doubt you. <\/p>\n
5. They\u2019re talking bad about you behind your back<\/span><\/h3>\nIf people tell you that others are talking behind your back, then you clearly have really bad friends. They\u2019re not friends if they\u2019re being mean to you and this is one of the bad friend signs to look for. <\/p>\n
Sure, friends can be annoyed with you but actually talking bad about you is a whole other, more harmful thing. [Read:\u00a023 signs of a mean person, why they\u2019re bitter and how to handle them]<\/p>\n
6. They talk badly about people you care about<\/span><\/h3>\nOn the flip side, they might be talking trash to your face, just about other people you still like and care about.\u00a0And you shouldn\u2019t ever tolerate that. It\u2019s terrible.<\/p>\n
It can be your family members or just other people. If they\u2019re talking bad about others to you, they\u2019re probably talking bad about you to others. Get rid of those terrible friends.<\/p>\n
7. They prevent you from having fun<\/span><\/h3>\nIf they\u2019re just full of negativity, they\u2019re going to prevent you from having a good time. That\u2019s just how those types of people work. <\/p>\n
Whenever you go out for a good time, they end up making it horrible and they spoil all the fun. [Read:\u00a0Negative Nancy \u2013 what makes one, 18 traits, and ways to deal with their attitude]<\/p>\n
8. Their drama always leaks over into your life<\/span><\/h3>\nEven if you have nothing to do with their other group of friends, you somehow end up tangled in their drama. When a person makes your life worse instead of better and just adds more harmful things to it, they\u2019re not good friends. <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
9. You feel like you don\u2019t really have friends<\/span><\/h3>\nEven though you have people you call \u201cfriends,\u201d you don\u2019t feel like you truly have a friendship. If you feel lonely even when you\u2019re surrounded by those people, we hate to break it to you, but you have awful friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No true friend would ever make you feel this way. [Read:\u00a0How to not feel lonely \u2013 30 ways to chase the lonely blues away]<\/p>\n
10. You feel judged for your choices<\/span><\/h3>\nMost people understand the feeling of being judged. You feel afraid to open up to your friends for fear of them judging you too harshly and making you feel bad for things.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If that\u2019s the case for you, then you don\u2019t really have good friends. <\/p>\n
First of all, you should always feel comfortable going to your friends with anything. That\u2019s the whole point of having friends, right? For them to help you out. <\/p>\n
If they make you feel judged, they\u2019re not the type of people you should be spending your time with. <\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Want to understand bad friends better? Read these guides:<\/strong><\/p>\n11. They don\u2019t make you feel better when you\u2019re upset<\/span><\/h3>\nOne of the best things about having good friends is being able to confide in them. When you can\u2019t do that or you know your friends will only make you feel worse, then they\u2019re not good friends.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the point of having friends when they don\u2019t do good things for you when you\u2019re upset? If they\u2019ll only make rude comments or tell you how wrong you were, get new friends. [Read:\u00a0One-sided friendship \u2013 15 signs it\u2019s time you cut them out of your life]<\/p>\n
12. Your problems don\u2019t matter to them<\/span><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019re going through a crisis but your friends don\u2019t care, you don\u2019t have friends. You have people who just call themselves your friends. More than likely, they\u2019re just very selfish people.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
They don\u2019t care about your problems but the second they have an issue, they expect you to be right there. Ditch these types of \u201cfriends\u201d and find better ones. [Read:\u00a029 signs someone is detached and doesn\u2019t care about your feelings]<\/p>\n
13. You\u2019d rather just relax by yourself than be with them<\/span><\/h3>\nIf you\u2019d rather not see your friends and spend your time alone just because of how negative you feel whenever you\u2019re around them, that\u2019s a big red flag.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You should want to spend time with your friends. You should want to be around them and have fun with them. If you\u2019d rather be by yourself, there\u2019s a real problem here.<\/p>\n
14. Other friends are pointing out the problem person<\/span><\/h3>\nIf your other friends are continuously telling you that a specific person is an issue, listen to them. They aren\u2019t just telling you that to make you mad. They might just see that those people are negative even if you can\u2019t. [Read: 27 fun ways to make new friends and mistakes to avoid]<\/p>\n
15. They always leave you waiting<\/span><\/h3>\nIf you have bad friends, they are probably always late when they meet you. <\/p>\n
You show up on time but they leave you waiting there for them for what seems like forever. And of course, you get angry because you could be doing something else with that wasted time.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s two minutes or two hours that they keep you waiting, it\u2019s just plain rude. There is no reason to keep people waiting unless they\u2019re on a power trip. [Read:\u00a0Is a friend using you? 40 signs and bold ways to confront and handle them]<\/p>\n
16. They give you the silent treatment<\/span><\/h3>\nIf your so-called friend is angry with you, they might not even tell you. They think you should have to figure it out when they give you the silent treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even when you ask what\u2019s wrong, they either won\u2019t tell you or they won\u2019t accept your apology. <\/p>\n
Giving someone the silent treatment is disrespectful. It\u2019s even worse than yelling at them, because at least when you are yelling at them, you are acknowledging their presence. But when they give you the cold shoulder, it\u2019s like they are pretending you don\u2019t even exist. <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
[Read:\u00a0Silent treatment abuse \u2013 how it\u2019s used and 40 ways to respond to it]<\/p>\n
17. They are not self-aware<\/span><\/h3>\nEveryone else can see how negative they are. You all see their bad behavior, and it\u2019s pretty obvious to you, but not to your so-called friend. They have no idea how they are behaving because they have zero self-awareness.<\/p>\n
They don\u2019t know how their behavior is negatively affecting other people. And if they did, they probably wouldn\u2019t even care. They are so busy criticizing other people that they never take a look in the mirror to see who they really are. [Read:\u00a0Codependent friendship \u2013 the bad signs and why it\u2019s unhealthy for you]<\/p>\n
18. They\u2019re selfish<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is certainly a sign of a bad friend. Some people are \u201cgivers\u201d and some people are \u201ctakers.\u201d If you are a giver, then your bad friend is probably a \u201ctaker.\u201d <\/p>\n
They have no problem being selfish. Everything is all about them, and they don\u2019t care about your needs at all.<\/p>\n
The relationship is always one-sided with you always giving, and them always taking. [Read:\u00a0Selfish people \u2013 20 ways to spot and stop them from hurting you]<\/p>\n
19. They take advantage of you<\/span><\/h3>\nIf they need to borrow money, they have no problem calling you to ask for it. Or, if they need a ride somewhere, you are the first person they call. They are always taking advantage of you and making you feel used, like a doormat.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s never okay to take advantage of other people. It is a horrible thing to do. So, if you think that you\u2019re being taken advantage of by your friend, it\u2019s time to stop doing things for them.<\/p>\n
20. You imagine a life without them and like it<\/span><\/h3>\nPerhaps the biggest sign of a bad friend of all, you like the idea of a life without them init. Daydreaming about a life without a specific person and enjoying it means they shouldn\u2019t be in your life. Listen to your instincts. [Read:\u00a0Am I a bad friend? 16 bad friendship skills that push people away]<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
The good side of having good friends in your life<\/span><\/h2>\nGood friends can be your greatest allies in life. Besides supporting you and providing helpful advice, they are also meant to be there for you through both good times and bad.<\/p>\n
They can act as your support group, your shopping buddies, the shoulders to cry on, and the ones you can spoil and do little favors for, just because. If you have people like these in your life, count yourself lucky!<\/p>\n
Studies have shown that close, emotionally supportive friendships are one of the strongest predictors of long-term mental and physical well-being. \ud83d\udcda Source: Umberson, D., et al., 2010, Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy<\/p>\n
But along with good friends, there may be a couple of toxic ones lurking in your social circle. Bad friendships really are the worst. <\/p>\n
They\u2019re the ones who bring you down and make you feel unwanted. They\u2019re the types of friends who bring nothing but trouble. And they\u2019re the ones who are so selfish that they think the world will unconditionally love them. <\/p>\n
But most importantly, they\u2019re the ones you should want out of your life. [Read: How to be a good friend \u2013 49 traits and friend codes that define a real pal]<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Want to decode a bad friend\u2019s mind? Start with these features:<\/strong><\/p>\nWhy you should never tolerate bad friends<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you want to make your life better and richer, surround yourself with positive people who really care about you. That\u2019s really the basis of a good, happy life.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why you should never tolerate less-than-amazing friends. If they\u2019re not adding anything to your life or not building you up, they\u2019re not worth it. [Read:\u00a0Toxic friends \u2013 22 types, 54 signs, and ways to end friendships that hurt you]<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
Research shows that toxic friendships don\u2019t just weigh you down emotionally, they also activate your body\u2019s stress response, increasing cortisol and weakening your immune system over time. \ud83d\udcda Source: Slavich, G. M., & Cole, S. W., 2013, The Emerging Field of Human Social Genomics<\/p>\n
Here are the reasons you should never tolerate terrible friends:<\/p>\n
1. They\u2019re exhausting<\/span><\/h3>\nWhen you\u2019re around negative people, they act like an \u201cenergy vampire.\u201d In other words, they suck all the life out of you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When you spend time with them, you feel drained and unhappy. But life is simply too short to be so exhausted. [Read:\u00a0What is an energy vampire? 19 signs to spot them in your life]<\/p>\n
2. They drag you down<\/span><\/h3>\nIf they are so tiring, then that will drag you down too. Maybe they are always complaining and being negative.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Well, that might be making you into a negative person too just because you\u2019re around them so much. And that\u2019s not healthy for you.<\/p>\n
3. They\u2019re disrespectful<\/span><\/h3>\nEveryone deserves to be respected. But if you have a bad friend, you don\u2019t get the respect that you need. So, why would you want to be around someone like that?\u00a0It\u2019s nothing short of a bad friendship. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s much more refreshing to be around people who treat you right. [Read:\u00a0Fair-weather friends \u2013 20 signs that your friend doesn\u2019t care about you]<\/p>\n
4. They affect your mental health<\/span><\/h3>\nBecause you are drained by them and they are dragging you down in this bad friendship, it can ultimately affect your mental health. <\/p>\n
They might make you anxious or even depressed. This negativity can also manifest in your physical health if it goes on too long. \ud83d\udcda Source: Debra Umberson, et al., 2010, Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy. <\/p>\n
Do you really need to jeopardize your happiness to be with these friends?<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you don\u2019t have friends, you\u2019re considered a loner or just plain weird. You may even be shaking your head and telling yourself you need friends even if you know deep inside that they\u2019re not good for you.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
But just for a second, think about this. As much as you\u2019re having fun with this person, are they still making you feel miserable, needy, or just less than happy in your everyday life?<\/p>\n
Is it worth spending a few hours with someone if they make you feel worse every other day of the week? A bad friendship just isn\u2019t worth your time or effort. [Read: Is a friend using you? 40 signs and bold ways to confront and handle them]<\/p>\n
The types of friends you need to unfriend for your own sanity<\/span><\/h2>\nSometimes, you need to cut a few wrong types of friends and move away from them. Yes, it\u2019ll hurt. Yes, you may feel lonely for a while.<\/p>\n
But, over the long term, you\u2019ll be happier and in a better place in your life.<\/p>\n
Want to know the different kinds of friends you need to keep your distance from? Here are 25 types of bad friends who make your life just a little bit worse every time you hang out with them.<\/p>\n
1. The selfish friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is the type of bad friendship with a person who thinks everything revolves around them. They only hang out with you or do things when it suits their own purpose, and they won\u2019t be caught dead doing something nice for someone else unless they have an ulterior motive.<\/p>\n
2. The always-unavailable friend<\/span><\/h3>\nYou know the one who always wants to get together, but when you try to make a plan, they remind you of how busy they are?<\/p>\n
Their calendar never seems to clear up, but they still want to be on your friends list\u2026 without doing any of the actual friend activities, that is. It\u2019s nothing short of a bad friendship that\u2019s taking advantage of you. <\/p>\n
3. The excuse lover<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is the friend who has an excuse for everything. They couldn\u2019t meet you? There\u2019s an excuse. They lied to you about something and you caught them? There\u2019s a bigger excuse.<\/p>\n
Every single time you confront them about anything, they lie right through their teeth. And over time, your expectations from them stoop so low you don\u2019t even care if they\u2019re exploiting you. [Read: 41honest reasons why you have no friends that care and steps to fix it ASAP]<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
4. The self-esteem destroyer<\/span><\/h3>\nReal friends will love you for who you are, but bad friends will wreak havoc on your self-esteem in order to protect their own fragile self-worth.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s fat-shaming or pointing out all your flaws on a regular basis, this friend needs a kick to the curb.<\/p>\n
5. The bad advice counselor<\/span><\/h3>\nThis friend always gives you the worst advice, and they get their kicks out of your life mistakes. They might make you break up with your boyfriend, or convince you that your girlfriend is cheating on you, just because misery loves company. <\/p>\n
If they don\u2019t have your best interests at heart, they aren\u2019t a friend. Period. If anything, it\u2019s an extremely bad friendship. [Read: Signs your friends are ruining your relationship]<\/p>\n
6. The single friend who dumps you when they\u2019re in a relationship<\/span><\/h3>\nThis person only crops up when they are single. Attempt to contact them while they are in a relationship and prepare to hear radio silence.<\/p>\n
7. The user<\/span><\/h3>\nThis \u201cfriend\u201d uses you as a wingman\/woman, to buy the drinks at the club, to be the designated driver, and the list goes on.<\/p>\n
They won\u2019t go out with you unless you have some kind of benefit for them. This one doubles as the selfish friend, and they are a bottomless pit of greed. <\/p>\n
8. The friend you\u2019re in love with<\/span><\/h3>\nThis friend is the person that you remain friends with despite being hopelessly in love with them. They are either oblivious or don\u2019t reciprocate the feeling.<\/p>\n
Being around them will only either expose you to their romantic exploits with other partners *ouch* or the blatant fact that they only see you as a friend *double ouch*. Either \u2018fess up or keep your distance. It\u2019s a bad friendship for you to be in. [Read: 17 must-knows to ask a friend out on a date subtly and not risk the friendship]<\/p>\n
9. The financially depleting friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThe one who always makes plans to do things that involve dropping huge amounts of cash on the regular, where you end up feeling guilty for wanting to stay in or save your money. They give you the \u201chuh?\u201d look when you mention money being an issue. <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
You may not be on the same page, financially or otherwise.<\/p>\n
10. The influencer friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThe one who will only walk around with you if you look good. They will give you a weird look when you walk out in sweats while they\u2019re dressed to kill.<\/p>\n
They are looking for an entourage based on looks, not on actually building solid friendships for life. All these people want is an audience, and they really aren\u2019t the type to be around for the long haul. [Read: Fake friends \u2013 42 signs and ways to tell them apart from real friends who care]<\/p>\n
11. The yo-yo friend<\/span><\/h3>\nOne day, they\u2019re your best friend, and the next, you catch them with matching BFF bracelets with that other person they swore they hated last week.<\/p>\n
This person is always between friends. If you get on their bad side, they won\u2019t be by your side for long but will come crying back when they realize the grass isn\u2019t any greener over there. So, another bad friendship! [Read: Being taken for granted? 71 BIG signs, why it happens, and ways to stop them]<\/p>\n
12. The \u201cfriend\u201d who\u2019s trying to sleep with you<\/span><\/h3>\nThese types of friends don\u2019t really want to be your friend at all. All they\u2019re doing is secretly hoping for your current relationship to fail or for you to get drunk enough to sleep with them.<\/p>\n
These friends will flirt with you and ask hypothetical questions about the two of you hooking up. [Read: Subtle signs your BFF is secretly trying to seduce you]<\/p>\n
13. The friend with baggage<\/span><\/h3>\nThey are always showing up with a new guy or girl on their arm, and they can\u2019t seem to hang out with you unless they have an \u201cother half\u201d present. <\/p>\n
They\u2019re also quick to land you with their stories of woe or all the other dramas they\u2019ve got going on. It\u2019s a super bad friendship! <\/p>\n
14. The long-time friend you have nothing in common with anymore<\/span><\/h3>\nYou had some wild times in college together, and until now, they\u2019re still hitting up clubs every weekend, while in school for the third time, all while they\u2019re married with kids.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
You just can\u2019t seem to find common ground, other than laughing about your old college stories. Leave it in the past. It\u2019s wasted time. [Read: Losing a friend \u2013 30 ways to face the pain of best friends just drifting away]<\/p>\n
15. The negative friend<\/span><\/h3>\nWhenever you bring up something great, they bring up something in the news that you should be worried about. <\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s epidemics, the declining economy, the failing marriage rates, or how hard it is to find a good significant other in today\u2019s world, they are constantly complaining or worrying about one thing or another.<\/p>\n
These people will drain you of your good vibes and energy. They need to be avoided if you don\u2019t want to be sucked into their pit of constant negativity. <\/p>\n
16. The needy friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThis is the friend who can\u2019t seem to do anything on their own. They always need advice on how to respond to their crush\u2019s text, their clothing choices, and right down to the types of food they should eat. This friendship is exhausting and pointless, to say the least.<\/p>\n
17. The backstabber<\/span><\/h3>\nThey smile in your face, but every other day, you hear something backstabbing-worthy from another mutual friend.<\/p>\n
Whether they don\u2019t believe you deserve your promotion at work, think you don\u2019t deserve your partner, or poke fun at how you gained five pounds on vacation, these are among the worst types of friends. Remove them from your life before they destroy your reputation. [Read: Be careful who you trust \u2013 15 ways to recognize the backstabbers]<\/p>\n
18. The flaky friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThis friend is the flaky one, the one who is always making plans and then canceling at the last minute.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no telling what kind of excuse they\u2019ll magically come up with, especially when you feel like you\u2019ve already heard them all before. [Read: Flaky friend \u2013 what it means, 30 reasons why they flake, and signs to ditch them]<\/p>\n
19. The jealous friend<\/span><\/h3>\nThis type of friend seems like a friend. But every time there\u2019s something good in your life, you can swear you see their eyes go green.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
They may seem like a good friend, but you can\u2019t help but see the envy change into pure jealousy and hatred when you\u2019re around them. [Read: 46 secrets to stop being jealous for no reason and learn to live envy-free]<\/p>\n
20. The friend who lets you down<\/span><\/h3>\nWho hasn\u2019t come across one of these friends these days? They take flakiness to a whole new level. They promise something big, like traveling on a vacation together, being by your side through a difficult time, or even moving to a new country for a year.<\/p>\n
But when you\u2019re all set and ready to make this big life change, they drop the bomb and back out, and leave you out to dry, and all alone. [Read: Why do I feel all alone? The answers that can change your life]<\/p>\n
21. The friend who hurts you often<\/span><\/h3>\nEither through their words or their behavior. If you have a friend who leaves you feeling teary-eyed, or someone who you just don\u2019t trust with a small piece of your heart, they should have no place in your life!<\/p>\n
22. The narcissistic friend<\/span><\/h3>\nOh, haven\u2019t we all come across this one? The friend who thinks they\u2019re a trophy to be won, this friend makes absolutely no effort once they\u2019ve hooked you.<\/p>\n
At the beginning, they behave like you two are besties for life. And then they show their true colors. They blow hot and cold often, leave you confused all the time, AND they expect you to do everything you can to keep them happy. [Read: Why do narcissists ignore you, your texts, and do the selfish things they do?]<\/p>\n
23. The distracted friend<\/span><\/h3>\nEver heard of phubbing? This type of friend has mastered the art of staying distracted throughout the conversation with you.<\/p>\n
They don\u2019t listen to you, they don\u2019t care about the things happening in your life, and they\u2019re perpetually distracted by something \u201cbetter\u201d on their phone. Seriously, makes you wonder why are they even hanging out with you in the first place. <\/p>\n
24. The energy vampire friend<\/span><\/h3>\nDo you feel completely drained and tired after spending an hour or two with a friend? And do they seem invigorated and happy every time they leave you after unloading their emotional burden on you? <\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
Cue the energy vampire! Stay away from them. <\/p>\n
25. The friend who holds you back from success<\/span><\/h3>\nLook, gathering motivation is hard enough. And just as you muster enough motivation after scooping motivational quotes for several days, do you have a friend who walks right in and dashes all of your dreams against the rocks because \u201cit\u2019s not worth it\u201d?<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Wondering why some friends are so bad? Read these features:<\/strong><\/p>\nWith friends like these, who needs enemies, right?<\/span><\/h2>\nDo you really HAVE to end your friendship with these types of friends, because of a few small, bad traits? Honestly, you don\u2019t have to end them.<\/p>\n
These days, people are just way more self-obsessed than ever before. So one of the things we\u2019ve learned to accept is putting up with someone\u2019s bad behavior.<\/p>\n
BUT here\u2019s what you need to remember. Every time you put up with or tolerate someone who hurts you, you\u2019re acknowledging that you\u2019re okay with being treated badly by others. Do you need that kind of stress? [Read: 33 secrets to be true to yourself and 15 signs you need to unfake your life]<\/p>\n
Hold the right friends close, and keep the rest at arm\u2019s length<\/span><\/h2>\nHonestly, we\u2019d recommend just ditching these types of friends when you spot the signs that they\u2019re a bad friend. <\/p>\n
But if you can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to, at least limit the time you spend with them. Focus on the friends who want the best for you, and the ones you feel the same toward.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t need 5000 friends just to make your social media accounts look cool. Leave those friends on social media. And focus on the few true ones who you trust will be there for you, standing outside your door at 3 am after you\u2019ve called them.<\/p>\n
\n\n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n
[Read: Good friends are like stars \u2013 18 ways to build lasting friendships]<\/p>\n
Life\u2019s way too short to feel small, judged, or drained by the people who are supposed<\/em> to be your safe space. If you see the signs you have bad friends, don\u2019t second guess what your gut\u2019s telling you. The right friendships won\u2019t leave you questioning your worth, they\u2019ll remind you of it every time.<\/strong><\/p>\n
When you\u2019re the only person reaching out and, well,\u00a0caring<\/em>, it\u2019s a problem. A friend who never wants to spend time with you probably isn\u2019t a good friend. <\/p>\n If they don\u2019t reach out just to catch up and see you, they likely only reach out when they need you. [Read:\u00a0Woah there! Signs you\u2019re coming on way too strong]<\/p>\n Whenever you send out texts, you hardly get replies. Then maybe a week later you\u2019ll get a text apologizing, only to realize it\u2019s because they need something from you.\u00a0<\/p>\n These types of people are bad friends. They don\u2019t truly care about you or they\u2019d respond no matter what.<\/p>\n This is a sign of a major bad friend. They have so many double standards. They can ignore your texts but if more than a couple of hours goes by without you responding, they get pissed. This isn\u2019t a true friendship. <\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n Ditch them. [Read:\u00a034 signs to know how and when to end a friendship that\u2019s toxic and hurting you]<\/p>\n Anyone who doesn\u2019t fully support your goals doesn\u2019t belong in your life. As long as what you want to do is moral and doesn\u2019t harm anyone else or yourself, they should be on your side.\u00a0<\/p>\n They shouldn\u2019t be sitting there making passive-aggressive comments about it. Nor should they doubt you. <\/p>\n If people tell you that others are talking behind your back, then you clearly have really bad friends. They\u2019re not friends if they\u2019re being mean to you and this is one of the bad friend signs to look for. <\/p>\n Sure, friends can be annoyed with you but actually talking bad about you is a whole other, more harmful thing. [Read:\u00a023 signs of a mean person, why they\u2019re bitter and how to handle them]<\/p>\n On the flip side, they might be talking trash to your face, just about other people you still like and care about.\u00a0And you shouldn\u2019t ever tolerate that. It\u2019s terrible.<\/p>\n It can be your family members or just other people. If they\u2019re talking bad about others to you, they\u2019re probably talking bad about you to others. Get rid of those terrible friends.<\/p>\n If they\u2019re just full of negativity, they\u2019re going to prevent you from having a good time. That\u2019s just how those types of people work. <\/p>\n Whenever you go out for a good time, they end up making it horrible and they spoil all the fun. [Read:\u00a0Negative Nancy \u2013 what makes one, 18 traits, and ways to deal with their attitude]<\/p>\n Even if you have nothing to do with their other group of friends, you somehow end up tangled in their drama. When a person makes your life worse instead of better and just adds more harmful things to it, they\u2019re not good friends. <\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n Even though you have people you call \u201cfriends,\u201d you don\u2019t feel like you truly have a friendship. If you feel lonely even when you\u2019re surrounded by those people, we hate to break it to you, but you have awful friends.\u00a0<\/p>\n No true friend would ever make you feel this way. [Read:\u00a0How to not feel lonely \u2013 30 ways to chase the lonely blues away]<\/p>\n Most people understand the feeling of being judged. You feel afraid to open up to your friends for fear of them judging you too harshly and making you feel bad for things.\u00a0<\/p>\n If that\u2019s the case for you, then you don\u2019t really have good friends. <\/p>\n First of all, you should always feel comfortable going to your friends with anything. That\u2019s the whole point of having friends, right? For them to help you out. <\/p>\n If they make you feel judged, they\u2019re not the type of people you should be spending your time with. <\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Want to understand bad friends better? Read these guides:<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the best things about having good friends is being able to confide in them. When you can\u2019t do that or you know your friends will only make you feel worse, then they\u2019re not good friends.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the point of having friends when they don\u2019t do good things for you when you\u2019re upset? If they\u2019ll only make rude comments or tell you how wrong you were, get new friends. [Read:\u00a0One-sided friendship \u2013 15 signs it\u2019s time you cut them out of your life]<\/p>\n If you\u2019re going through a crisis but your friends don\u2019t care, you don\u2019t have friends. You have people who just call themselves your friends. More than likely, they\u2019re just very selfish people.<\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n They don\u2019t care about your problems but the second they have an issue, they expect you to be right there. Ditch these types of \u201cfriends\u201d and find better ones. [Read:\u00a029 signs someone is detached and doesn\u2019t care about your feelings]<\/p>\n If you\u2019d rather not see your friends and spend your time alone just because of how negative you feel whenever you\u2019re around them, that\u2019s a big red flag.\u00a0<\/p>\n You should want to spend time with your friends. You should want to be around them and have fun with them. If you\u2019d rather be by yourself, there\u2019s a real problem here.<\/p>\n If your other friends are continuously telling you that a specific person is an issue, listen to them. They aren\u2019t just telling you that to make you mad. They might just see that those people are negative even if you can\u2019t. [Read: 27 fun ways to make new friends and mistakes to avoid]<\/p>\n If you have bad friends, they are probably always late when they meet you. <\/p>\n You show up on time but they leave you waiting there for them for what seems like forever. And of course, you get angry because you could be doing something else with that wasted time.<\/p>\n It doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s two minutes or two hours that they keep you waiting, it\u2019s just plain rude. There is no reason to keep people waiting unless they\u2019re on a power trip. [Read:\u00a0Is a friend using you? 40 signs and bold ways to confront and handle them]<\/p>\n If your so-called friend is angry with you, they might not even tell you. They think you should have to figure it out when they give you the silent treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Even when you ask what\u2019s wrong, they either won\u2019t tell you or they won\u2019t accept your apology. <\/p>\n Giving someone the silent treatment is disrespectful. It\u2019s even worse than yelling at them, because at least when you are yelling at them, you are acknowledging their presence. But when they give you the cold shoulder, it\u2019s like they are pretending you don\u2019t even exist. <\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n [Read:\u00a0Silent treatment abuse \u2013 how it\u2019s used and 40 ways to respond to it]<\/p>\n Everyone else can see how negative they are. You all see their bad behavior, and it\u2019s pretty obvious to you, but not to your so-called friend. They have no idea how they are behaving because they have zero self-awareness.<\/p>\n They don\u2019t know how their behavior is negatively affecting other people. And if they did, they probably wouldn\u2019t even care. They are so busy criticizing other people that they never take a look in the mirror to see who they really are. [Read:\u00a0Codependent friendship \u2013 the bad signs and why it\u2019s unhealthy for you]<\/p>\n This is certainly a sign of a bad friend. Some people are \u201cgivers\u201d and some people are \u201ctakers.\u201d If you are a giver, then your bad friend is probably a \u201ctaker.\u201d <\/p>\n They have no problem being selfish. Everything is all about them, and they don\u2019t care about your needs at all.<\/p>\n The relationship is always one-sided with you always giving, and them always taking. [Read:\u00a0Selfish people \u2013 20 ways to spot and stop them from hurting you]<\/p>\n If they need to borrow money, they have no problem calling you to ask for it. Or, if they need a ride somewhere, you are the first person they call. They are always taking advantage of you and making you feel used, like a doormat.<\/p>\n It\u2019s never okay to take advantage of other people. It is a horrible thing to do. So, if you think that you\u2019re being taken advantage of by your friend, it\u2019s time to stop doing things for them.<\/p>\n Perhaps the biggest sign of a bad friend of all, you like the idea of a life without them init. Daydreaming about a life without a specific person and enjoying it means they shouldn\u2019t be in your life. Listen to your instincts. [Read:\u00a0Am I a bad friend? 16 bad friendship skills that push people away]<\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n Good friends can be your greatest allies in life. Besides supporting you and providing helpful advice, they are also meant to be there for you through both good times and bad.<\/p>\n They can act as your support group, your shopping buddies, the shoulders to cry on, and the ones you can spoil and do little favors for, just because. If you have people like these in your life, count yourself lucky!<\/p>\n Studies have shown that close, emotionally supportive friendships are one of the strongest predictors of long-term mental and physical well-being. \ud83d\udcda Source: Umberson, D., et al., 2010, Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy<\/p>\n But along with good friends, there may be a couple of toxic ones lurking in your social circle. Bad friendships really are the worst. <\/p>\n They\u2019re the ones who bring you down and make you feel unwanted. They\u2019re the types of friends who bring nothing but trouble. And they\u2019re the ones who are so selfish that they think the world will unconditionally love them. <\/p>\n But most importantly, they\u2019re the ones you should want out of your life. [Read: How to be a good friend \u2013 49 traits and friend codes that define a real pal]<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Want to decode a bad friend\u2019s mind? Start with these features:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you want to make your life better and richer, surround yourself with positive people who really care about you. That\u2019s really the basis of a good, happy life.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why you should never tolerate less-than-amazing friends. If they\u2019re not adding anything to your life or not building you up, they\u2019re not worth it. [Read:\u00a0Toxic friends \u2013 22 types, 54 signs, and ways to end friendships that hurt you]<\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n Research shows that toxic friendships don\u2019t just weigh you down emotionally, they also activate your body\u2019s stress response, increasing cortisol and weakening your immune system over time. \ud83d\udcda Source: Slavich, G. M., & Cole, S. W., 2013, The Emerging Field of Human Social Genomics<\/p>\n Here are the reasons you should never tolerate terrible friends:<\/p>\n When you\u2019re around negative people, they act like an \u201cenergy vampire.\u201d In other words, they suck all the life out of you.\u00a0<\/p>\n When you spend time with them, you feel drained and unhappy. But life is simply too short to be so exhausted. [Read:\u00a0What is an energy vampire? 19 signs to spot them in your life]<\/p>\n If they are so tiring, then that will drag you down too. Maybe they are always complaining and being negative.\u00a0<\/p>\n Well, that might be making you into a negative person too just because you\u2019re around them so much. And that\u2019s not healthy for you.<\/p>\n Everyone deserves to be respected. But if you have a bad friend, you don\u2019t get the respect that you need. So, why would you want to be around someone like that?\u00a0It\u2019s nothing short of a bad friendship. <\/p>\n It\u2019s much more refreshing to be around people who treat you right. [Read:\u00a0Fair-weather friends \u2013 20 signs that your friend doesn\u2019t care about you]<\/p>\n Because you are drained by them and they are dragging you down in this bad friendship, it can ultimately affect your mental health. <\/p>\n They might make you anxious or even depressed. This negativity can also manifest in your physical health if it goes on too long. \ud83d\udcda Source: Debra Umberson, et al., 2010, Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy. <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have friends, you\u2019re considered a loner or just plain weird. You may even be shaking your head and telling yourself you need friends even if you know deep inside that they\u2019re not good for you.<\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n But just for a second, think about this. As much as you\u2019re having fun with this person, are they still making you feel miserable, needy, or just less than happy in your everyday life?<\/p>\n Is it worth spending a few hours with someone if they make you feel worse every other day of the week? A bad friendship just isn\u2019t worth your time or effort. [Read: Is a friend using you? 40 signs and bold ways to confront and handle them]<\/p>\n Sometimes, you need to cut a few wrong types of friends and move away from them. Yes, it\u2019ll hurt. Yes, you may feel lonely for a while.<\/p>\n But, over the long term, you\u2019ll be happier and in a better place in your life.<\/p>\n Want to know the different kinds of friends you need to keep your distance from? Here are 25 types of bad friends who make your life just a little bit worse every time you hang out with them.<\/p>\n This is the type of bad friendship with a person who thinks everything revolves around them. They only hang out with you or do things when it suits their own purpose, and they won\u2019t be caught dead doing something nice for someone else unless they have an ulterior motive.<\/p>\n You know the one who always wants to get together, but when you try to make a plan, they remind you of how busy they are?<\/p>\n Their calendar never seems to clear up, but they still want to be on your friends list\u2026 without doing any of the actual friend activities, that is. It\u2019s nothing short of a bad friendship that\u2019s taking advantage of you. <\/p>\n This is the friend who has an excuse for everything. They couldn\u2019t meet you? There\u2019s an excuse. They lied to you about something and you caught them? There\u2019s a bigger excuse.<\/p>\n Every single time you confront them about anything, they lie right through their teeth. And over time, your expectations from them stoop so low you don\u2019t even care if they\u2019re exploiting you. [Read: 41honest reasons why you have no friends that care and steps to fix it ASAP]<\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n Real friends will love you for who you are, but bad friends will wreak havoc on your self-esteem in order to protect their own fragile self-worth.<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s fat-shaming or pointing out all your flaws on a regular basis, this friend needs a kick to the curb.<\/p>\n This friend always gives you the worst advice, and they get their kicks out of your life mistakes. They might make you break up with your boyfriend, or convince you that your girlfriend is cheating on you, just because misery loves company. <\/p>\n If they don\u2019t have your best interests at heart, they aren\u2019t a friend. Period. If anything, it\u2019s an extremely bad friendship. [Read: Signs your friends are ruining your relationship]<\/p>\n This person only crops up when they are single. Attempt to contact them while they are in a relationship and prepare to hear radio silence.<\/p>\n This \u201cfriend\u201d uses you as a wingman\/woman, to buy the drinks at the club, to be the designated driver, and the list goes on.<\/p>\n They won\u2019t go out with you unless you have some kind of benefit for them. This one doubles as the selfish friend, and they are a bottomless pit of greed. <\/p>\n This friend is the person that you remain friends with despite being hopelessly in love with them. They are either oblivious or don\u2019t reciprocate the feeling.<\/p>\n Being around them will only either expose you to their romantic exploits with other partners *ouch* or the blatant fact that they only see you as a friend *double ouch*. Either \u2018fess up or keep your distance. It\u2019s a bad friendship for you to be in. [Read: 17 must-knows to ask a friend out on a date subtly and not risk the friendship]<\/p>\n The one who always makes plans to do things that involve dropping huge amounts of cash on the regular, where you end up feeling guilty for wanting to stay in or save your money. They give you the \u201chuh?\u201d look when you mention money being an issue. <\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n You may not be on the same page, financially or otherwise.<\/p>\n The one who will only walk around with you if you look good. They will give you a weird look when you walk out in sweats while they\u2019re dressed to kill.<\/p>\n They are looking for an entourage based on looks, not on actually building solid friendships for life. All these people want is an audience, and they really aren\u2019t the type to be around for the long haul. [Read: Fake friends \u2013 42 signs and ways to tell them apart from real friends who care]<\/p>\n One day, they\u2019re your best friend, and the next, you catch them with matching BFF bracelets with that other person they swore they hated last week.<\/p>\n This person is always between friends. If you get on their bad side, they won\u2019t be by your side for long but will come crying back when they realize the grass isn\u2019t any greener over there. So, another bad friendship! [Read: Being taken for granted? 71 BIG signs, why it happens, and ways to stop them]<\/p>\n These types of friends don\u2019t really want to be your friend at all. All they\u2019re doing is secretly hoping for your current relationship to fail or for you to get drunk enough to sleep with them.<\/p>\n These friends will flirt with you and ask hypothetical questions about the two of you hooking up. [Read: Subtle signs your BFF is secretly trying to seduce you]<\/p>\n They are always showing up with a new guy or girl on their arm, and they can\u2019t seem to hang out with you unless they have an \u201cother half\u201d present. <\/p>\n They\u2019re also quick to land you with their stories of woe or all the other dramas they\u2019ve got going on. It\u2019s a super bad friendship! <\/p>\n You had some wild times in college together, and until now, they\u2019re still hitting up clubs every weekend, while in school for the third time, all while they\u2019re married with kids.<\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n You just can\u2019t seem to find common ground, other than laughing about your old college stories. Leave it in the past. It\u2019s wasted time. [Read: Losing a friend \u2013 30 ways to face the pain of best friends just drifting away]<\/p>\n Whenever you bring up something great, they bring up something in the news that you should be worried about. <\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s epidemics, the declining economy, the failing marriage rates, or how hard it is to find a good significant other in today\u2019s world, they are constantly complaining or worrying about one thing or another.<\/p>\n These people will drain you of your good vibes and energy. They need to be avoided if you don\u2019t want to be sucked into their pit of constant negativity. <\/p>\n This is the friend who can\u2019t seem to do anything on their own. They always need advice on how to respond to their crush\u2019s text, their clothing choices, and right down to the types of food they should eat. This friendship is exhausting and pointless, to say the least.<\/p>\n They smile in your face, but every other day, you hear something backstabbing-worthy from another mutual friend.<\/p>\n Whether they don\u2019t believe you deserve your promotion at work, think you don\u2019t deserve your partner, or poke fun at how you gained five pounds on vacation, these are among the worst types of friends. Remove them from your life before they destroy your reputation. [Read: Be careful who you trust \u2013 15 ways to recognize the backstabbers]<\/p>\n This friend is the flaky one, the one who is always making plans and then canceling at the last minute.<\/p>\n There\u2019s no telling what kind of excuse they\u2019ll magically come up with, especially when you feel like you\u2019ve already heard them all before. [Read: Flaky friend \u2013 what it means, 30 reasons why they flake, and signs to ditch them]<\/p>\n This type of friend seems like a friend. But every time there\u2019s something good in your life, you can swear you see their eyes go green.<\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n They may seem like a good friend, but you can\u2019t help but see the envy change into pure jealousy and hatred when you\u2019re around them. [Read: 46 secrets to stop being jealous for no reason and learn to live envy-free]<\/p>\n Who hasn\u2019t come across one of these friends these days? They take flakiness to a whole new level. They promise something big, like traveling on a vacation together, being by your side through a difficult time, or even moving to a new country for a year.<\/p>\n But when you\u2019re all set and ready to make this big life change, they drop the bomb and back out, and leave you out to dry, and all alone. [Read: Why do I feel all alone? The answers that can change your life]<\/p>\n Either through their words or their behavior. If you have a friend who leaves you feeling teary-eyed, or someone who you just don\u2019t trust with a small piece of your heart, they should have no place in your life!<\/p>\n Oh, haven\u2019t we all come across this one? The friend who thinks they\u2019re a trophy to be won, this friend makes absolutely no effort once they\u2019ve hooked you.<\/p>\n At the beginning, they behave like you two are besties for life. And then they show their true colors. They blow hot and cold often, leave you confused all the time, AND they expect you to do everything you can to keep them happy. [Read: Why do narcissists ignore you, your texts, and do the selfish things they do?]<\/p>\n Ever heard of phubbing? This type of friend has mastered the art of staying distracted throughout the conversation with you.<\/p>\n They don\u2019t listen to you, they don\u2019t care about the things happening in your life, and they\u2019re perpetually distracted by something \u201cbetter\u201d on their phone. Seriously, makes you wonder why are they even hanging out with you in the first place. <\/p>\n Do you feel completely drained and tired after spending an hour or two with a friend? And do they seem invigorated and happy every time they leave you after unloading their emotional burden on you? <\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n Cue the energy vampire! Stay away from them. <\/p>\n Look, gathering motivation is hard enough. And just as you muster enough motivation after scooping motivational quotes for several days, do you have a friend who walks right in and dashes all of your dreams against the rocks because \u201cit\u2019s not worth it\u201d?<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Wondering why some friends are so bad? Read these features:<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you really HAVE to end your friendship with these types of friends, because of a few small, bad traits? Honestly, you don\u2019t have to end them.<\/p>\n These days, people are just way more self-obsessed than ever before. So one of the things we\u2019ve learned to accept is putting up with someone\u2019s bad behavior.<\/p>\n BUT here\u2019s what you need to remember. Every time you put up with or tolerate someone who hurts you, you\u2019re acknowledging that you\u2019re okay with being treated badly by others. Do you need that kind of stress? [Read: 33 secrets to be true to yourself and 15 signs you need to unfake your life]<\/p>\n Honestly, we\u2019d recommend just ditching these types of friends when you spot the signs that they\u2019re a bad friend. <\/p>\n But if you can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to, at least limit the time you spend with them. Focus on the friends who want the best for you, and the ones you feel the same toward.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need 5000 friends just to make your social media accounts look cool. Leave those friends on social media. And focus on the few true ones who you trust will be there for you, standing outside your door at 3 am after you\u2019ve called them.<\/p>\n \n Skip the wait. Join MIRL as a Priority Member with code: MIRLVIP\n <\/p>\n [Read: Good friends are like stars \u2013 18 ways to build lasting friendships]<\/p>\n Life\u2019s way too short to feel small, judged, or drained by the people who are supposed<\/em> to be your safe space. If you see the signs you have bad friends, don\u2019t second guess what your gut\u2019s telling you. The right friendships won\u2019t leave you questioning your worth, they\u2019ll remind you of it every time.<\/strong><\/p>\n2. Your texts go unanswered<\/span><\/h3>\n
3. They get mad at you for stuff they do all the time<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n4. They don\u2019t support your goals<\/span><\/h3>\n
5. They\u2019re talking bad about you behind your back<\/span><\/h3>\n
6. They talk badly about people you care about<\/span><\/h3>\n
7. They prevent you from having fun<\/span><\/h3>\n
8. Their drama always leaks over into your life<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n9. You feel like you don\u2019t really have friends<\/span><\/h3>\n
10. You feel judged for your choices<\/span><\/h3>\n
11. They don\u2019t make you feel better when you\u2019re upset<\/span><\/h3>\n
12. Your problems don\u2019t matter to them<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n13. You\u2019d rather just relax by yourself than be with them<\/span><\/h3>\n
14. Other friends are pointing out the problem person<\/span><\/h3>\n
15. They always leave you waiting<\/span><\/h3>\n
16. They give you the silent treatment<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n17. They are not self-aware<\/span><\/h3>\n
18. They\u2019re selfish<\/span><\/h3>\n
19. They take advantage of you<\/span><\/h3>\n
20. You imagine a life without them and like it<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\nThe good side of having good friends in your life<\/span><\/h2>\n
Why you should never tolerate bad friends<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n1. They\u2019re exhausting<\/span><\/h3>\n
2. They drag you down<\/span><\/h3>\n
3. They\u2019re disrespectful<\/span><\/h3>\n
4. They affect your mental health<\/span><\/h3>\n
Do you really need to jeopardize your happiness to be with these friends?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p><\/div>\nThe types of friends you need to unfriend for your own sanity<\/span><\/h2>\n
1. The selfish friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
2. The always-unavailable friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
3. The excuse lover<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n4. The self-esteem destroyer<\/span><\/h3>\n
5. The bad advice counselor<\/span><\/h3>\n
6. The single friend who dumps you when they\u2019re in a relationship<\/span><\/h3>\n
7. The user<\/span><\/h3>\n
8. The friend you\u2019re in love with<\/span><\/h3>\n
9. The financially depleting friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n10. The influencer friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
11. The yo-yo friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
12. The \u201cfriend\u201d who\u2019s trying to sleep with you<\/span><\/h3>\n
13. The friend with baggage<\/span><\/h3>\n
14. The long-time friend you have nothing in common with anymore<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n15. The negative friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
16. The needy friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
17. The backstabber<\/span><\/h3>\n
18. The flaky friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
19. The jealous friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n20. The friend who lets you down<\/span><\/h3>\n
21. The friend who hurts you often<\/span><\/h3>\n
22. The narcissistic friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
23. The distracted friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
24. The energy vampire friend<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n25. The friend who holds you back from success<\/span><\/h3>\n
With friends like these, who needs enemies, right?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Hold the right friends close, and keep the rest at arm\u2019s length<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p><\/div>\n