5 Kinds of Friends to Dump
It’s hard to let go of relationships, especially ones we have invested in. But having toxic friends in our lives isn’t good for our health and sanity. Below are five kinds of friends who don’t belong in our lives and we’re better off without. If you have one (or multiple) of these kinds of friends, maybe it’s time to dump them.
The Criticizer
Friends are supposed to be a support system. They should lift our spirits when we are feeling down. So why stay friends with the person who is always criticizing us and making us feel bad about ourselves? This friend makes it a point to let us know that we aren’t dressed properly for the occasion, that our kids are misbehaving, or that our house is a mess. When friends think it’s their duty to tell us how to live our lives, let them go. It’s okay to stop inviting them over or to quit planning activities with them. Most of us are critical enough of ourselves as it is. We don’t need a “friend” adding to that.
The Self-Absorbed
This is the friend who monopolizes the conversation. The friend who only reaches out to us when they are in need of something. The friend who makes everything about him or her and never checks in on how we’re doing. Friendship is a two-way street — both parties need to be investing in one another. If one person is constantly wanting their needs met, but not looking to the welfare of others, then they are not a good friend. A true friend will share what’s going in their life, but will also ask us about ours. Our time is precious. Spend it with people who invest in the friendship.
The Downer
Nothing can ever go right in this person’s life. They always have something to complain about. Their attitude is always “woe is me.” This friend takes so much energy to be around. We try to bring them up, but nothing works. We don’t want to share our good news with them, because it will just make them feel worse about their life. This friend will try and bring us down in the dumps with them. They will seek pity from anyone who will listen. Too much time with this friend and they will certainly bring us down with them.
The Troublemaker
We’ve all had that rebellious friend at one point in our lives. The one who encouraged us to do things we would never do on our own. The one our parents didn’t want us to hang around. The one who always went against our better judgment. This friend was fun when we were young and naive, but if we still have this friend around it typically spells t-r-o-u-b-l-e. Real friends don’t pressure us into doing anything we are uncomfortable with. It’s time to grow up without this person in our lives.
The Gossip Queen
Friends should be confidants. We shouldn’t worry that they might share our secrets and intimate details of our lives with others. If we have a friend who is loose-lipped, be careful. If this person is always sharing others’ dirt with us, chances are they are sharing our dirt with others too. If we can’t even trust a friend, then there is no foundation for a true friendship.
Finally, anytime you are in a verbally abusive friendship, you should end that friendship. A good friendship should be easy and rewarding. Don’t put up with anything less than that.
Take a close look at your friendships and see if you have any of these kinds of friends. If so, be honest with yourself about whether that friend is really, truly good for you. Remember, real friends make us better.
Article Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kurt-smith-lmft-lpcc-afc/five-kinds-of-friends-to-_b_9573126.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living
Image Source: http://cache3.asset-cache.net/gc/480985303-two-young-women-in-kitchen-in-disagreement-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=ZqZM9MT1g1lq6Bjc4WPVZWLXAISbhFxlnVGXKRcem%2bgEEfE6UXPEN8Uw%2b6n4%2f9dk
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Better off (idiom) ~ in a better or more prosperous condition
2. Pity (v.) ~ feel sorrow for the misfortunes of
3. Rebellious (adj.) ~ showing a desire to resist authority, control, or convention
4. Naïve (adj.) ~ (of a person or action) showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment
5. Confidant (n.) ~ a person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it to others
6.Loose-lipped (slang) ~ a rambler who give out personal information very easily
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. According to the article, what are the kinds of friends that we should let go? Discuss each one briefly.
2. Have you ever had a friend similar with any of the mentioned above? What happened?
3. Why is it unhealthy to have these kinds of friends?
4. Which do you think is better, dump these kinds of friend or try to change them? Explain your opinion.
