Friendships are just as important as relationships and take just as much work to maintain. Like a relationship, friendships have ups and downs, but sometimes, you must realize when things get toxic. You don’t want to be stuck in a friendship that hurts you more than uplifts you. Signs that it’s time to walk away from a friend may not always be clear. You could ignore the signs because you are close to that person.

Often, people can’t see how a friendship hurts while they are in it. In certain instances, it’s always best to take a step back and reevaluate whether this person is worth being in your life anymore. Here are signs that it’s time to end a friendship.

1. You’re the only one putting in effort.

Friendships are not going to maintain themselves. The older we get, the more we have to pour into our relationship with our friends for things to work. It takes two people for a friendship to survive. If you’re the only one reaching out, take that as a clear sign that that person isn’t concerned with staying friends with you. As time passes and you find that you’re the only one putting in effort, don’t hesitate to cut ties immediately. It may be hard, but a huge weight will be lifted off your shoulders when you don’t have to put unwanted energy into a dying friendship.

2. They fail to be there when you need them the most.

A good friend is someone you can depend on, someone who will be there when times are tough. It’s easy for friends to stick around when things are going well, but the real test of friendship is when that person is there for you during the hardships. When a friend consistently ignores you while you’re dealing with things, that is one of the major signs it’s time to end a friendship.

3. They don’t consider your feelings.

When a friend dismisses or belittles your feelings, that’s a sign that they don’t value your emotions. In a real friendship, both parties deserve to have their concerns heard. Being dismissed by a friend can cause you to resent them in the long run when it repeatedly happens. If your friend invalidates your feelings, step back and determine if this relationship still serves you. No friend should make you feel like your emotions aren’t respected or that you don’t have the right to be upset. If this becomes a pattern, this is a clear sign.

4. They drain your energy.

If you ever feel drained after hanging out with a friend, that is a sign it’s time to cut them off. Coming home from spending time with your friend should leave you recharged and refreshed, not exhausted. When a friend is constantly negative or always complaining, it can damper things. What once felt exciting now feels toxic, and it’s time to remove yourself from the situation.

5. They bring you down.

If a friend constantly constantly brings you down and criticizes you, then they aren’t a real friend. A friend should never make you feel bad for your flaws and mistakes as if they are better than you. A true friend would make you feel safe, secure, and vulnerable to confide in them.

If you encounter any of these signs in your friendship, it’s time to reassess your relationship with that person. Breaking up with a friend can be hard, but sometimes it’s necessary for your mental health. Know when to walk away when it becomes too toxic.

How do you know when it’s time to end a friendship? Comment and let us know.

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