Signs of Toxic Friends

Having a friend with low self-esteem can be damaging to the way you perceive yourself, especially if you spend a lot of time together. At first it may not be noticeable but with time if you begin to feel hurt by his or her remarks during conversations then be warned it may be time to step away from this individual. It is never a good sign to feel judged or attacked by someone when you want to confide in them. Signs of a toxic friend are: 

1) Demands attention 

If in the middle of sentences this friend continues interrupting to input irrelevant information into the moment then it distracts the speaker and eventually the entire plot of the story fades away. It is never a good sign especially for personal conversations in which usually involve you in need of venting out out to someone. Another circumstance can be if you are clearly on the phone speaking to your parents or boyfriend and this friend continues talking to you and trying to distract you from your time with others. Politely excuse yourself and get your own distance from her. Putting down whatever you are doing to pay attention to them juggling in front of you is never good. A good friend will allow you to have your private time with others and to yourself and will not interrupt you if it is not important.

2) Spends too much time on Facebook

Sure everyone spends much time on social networking sites and compares themselves to random people who seem to be having a good life, but the way of balancing the social media atmosphere is to also input participation and converse with friends on there. A friend that sits in front of her computer and obsesses over knowing what is going on in the lives of others she went to high school with (yet never actually knew) encourages old grudges and nostalgia that can be easily taken out on you thanks to traumas. If it seems like very often they feel free to gossip over other people's lives since they are very well informed, then count on it that it is also easy for them to also gossip about YOUR life. For a friend to ask "so what's new on Facebook, did I miss anything?" lets you know it is time to concentrate on other aspects.

3) Persists on personal information

Ever had a friend ask you personal questions which seem adequate to share because you're "friends"? Well there are some things you want to keep to yourself or at least be selective in the few people you confide in. Whatever personal information you may carry within you is precious and a good friend will never push you to talk about your intimate secrets. A warning red sign is if she never wants to share stuff about her even after you already confided in telling her about your life.

4) Suppresses your personality or corrects you

More than anything, never ever let someone suppress you from being a happy individual who likes laughing out loud and is not afraid to laugh at herself! I once hanged out with a girl who would shush me for laughing or talking too loud even if we were outside. She claimed people were watching or hearing which was NEVER the case. People are usually minding their own business but there is always that individual who is very conscious of themselves and is afraid to make a fool out of herself. These people are usually like this because its THEM who really do butt into stranger's business and judge them for their actions or looks.