Lifestyle, Mental Wellness, Relationship
When is it Time to Cut Off a Friendship?
If you are reading this article, you may be debating whether or when to end a friendship. Cutting off a friend is something that should come with significant consideration.
Cutting off a friendship can leave you with regrets, sadness, or even feeling like it was the wrong decision.
If unsure if ending the friendship is the best idea, start by distancing yourself from the friend by setting boundaries.
Setting boundaries allows you to alienate yourself without cutting your friend off entirely. This will help to determine what is best for your mental and physical well-being.
If cutting your friend out of your life is best, do it gracefully. Circumstances and situations may change where you want them back in your life. Furthermore, when cutting off a friend, ensure it is well thought out and not from anger.
You are the only person who knows the best time to cut off a friendship.
Unfortunately, not all friends are good friends, and there are signs to tell when to cut off a friendship. Friendships can end for a variety of reasons.
However, if you choose to end a friendship, ensure it is in your best interest. Below are the signs that it may be time to cut off a friendship.
1. No Longer Making Contact
I’m glad for that.”
One way to know it may be time to cut off a friendship is when you stop hearing from them regularly, and it seems that contacting one another comes further and further apart.
Losing contact doesn’t have to be a bad thing. It can happen slowly over time or quickly all at once. Either way, go with grace with your head held high and remember the good times.
Throughout life, we all change. We work on becoming better people, finding new religions or beliefs, and focusing our time on different aspects of life; rather it is work or family.
You may be heading down different paths in life and losing mutual ground for conversation. Sometimes close friendships dwindle apart with time.
Possibly, you no longer understand each other’s ideas and ways of thinking or do not have common interests making it hard to hold a conversation.
When that happens, it’s OK.
Another way friendship can lose steam is when one person is busy and has no time for the other person. Although it may feel hurtful, it likely isn’t intentional toward you.
Sometimes friendships take a back seat for families, careers or even a new love interest. It can hurt, especially when the effort becomes one-way.
It may be time to let the friendship go when you feel you’ve given it all you’ve got, and the other person is not receptive.
2. One Sided Relationship
Have you ever had that friend where you thought, I could die tomorrow and they would attend my funeral not knowing a thing about me? This is a huge indicator you may be in a one sided relationship.
All they want to talk about is themselves. Your friend does not know what is happening in your life, nor do they care.
Anytime they ask you how you’re doing, what’s happening in your life, if there’s anything new, they immediately take the conversation back to themselves without having you answer the question.
One-sided relationships are very toxic because they may seem like a perfect friend as they reach out, but honestly, they don’t care to know what is happening with you.
True friends want to hear about your goals, struggles, hurdles, and everyday life. They care about you, and they want to know about you.
When a relationship becomes one-sided, it may be time to end the friendship.
3. Only See Them When They Need Something
Another sign it may be time to end a friendship is when they only contact you when they need something.
For example, you only hear from them when they need a car ride home, borrow clothes, or use your stuff.
Maybe your friend never pays their way, causing you to fork up the money if you want to hang out. It can be purchasing their dinner, buying their concert tickets, or paying for drinks when they go out.
If your relationship is solely on providing for their needs, then it is clear that your relationship is all about what they can get from you.
This is someone who will use you until you have nothing left to give them.
A true friend may need a ride to the airport or borrow a dress occasionally. However, your friendship is beyond what they can get from you, it is about staying connected and wanting to be a part of what’s going on in your life.
4. Drain Your Energy
Another sign it may be time to cut a friendship is when you constantly feel drained after spending time with them.
When you leave their presence, you feel completely exhausted and drained, likely from being exposed to their pessimistic attitude. It could be from their constant complaining, nagging, or speaking ill of others.
If you constantly leave their presence feeling like you need to nap or suddenly feeling demotivated in life, then it is a good possibility their negativity is draining you. Other physical signs of negativity and how it impacts the body are if you find yourself having panic attacks or your heart racing when around them.
When you begin to show physical and emotional signs, such as stress, sleepiness, or becoming demotivated when around them, you may need to consider cutting off your friendship.
It is important to identify toxic individuals and either create boundaries or end your friendship for your mental well-being. [Read also: How to Identify Toxic People]
5. Always Negative
When you’re around someone who is always negative, they have nothing to say that will lift you. This type of person always sees the glass as half empty. Regardless of what you can tell them, even if it’s how blessed and how much they have, they’ll always see the worst in every situation.
This person will plant doubt, fear, and anxiety in your mind. You are unable to discuss goals, life plans, or even seek advice because they will always discourage you by showcasing the worst-case scenario in every situation. By doing this, they embed fear and leave you feeling helpless, discouraged and wanting to give up.
Over time this toxic friendship can end up hindering your happiness and overall mental well-being. Be incredibly careful if you’re around someone negative all the time.
6. Have a Substance Abuse Issue
Another sign it may be time to end a friendship is when they have a substance abuse problem, they refuse to take responsibility for it, or they refuse to get help.
When friends with someone who has a substance abuse issue, you must be careful they do not take you down that path.
Although you may think you can be a good friend by encouraging and pushing them to stop or seek help, the person with a substance abuse issue will usually not get help until they are ready for it.
Furthermore, an individual with a substance abuse problem tends to try to get others to do it with them. Therefore, this kind of company is dangerous, which leads us to the next point.
7. Not Safe Around Your Love One
If you have a friend who is not safe to be around your child, niece, nephew, or anyone else in your family, then you may want to reconsider your friendship with them.
This could be due to substance abuse, violent tendencies, or an openly expressed sexual lifestyle that may not be good for children to hear.
Consider whether the friendship is worth continuing when someone openly discusses or participates in activities that are unacceptable around your children or close family.
8. Betrayal
There’s always a level of betrayal that no friendship can take. It is up to you to determine the extent of betrayal that crosses the line. Depending on the type of betrayal, it is worth carefully observing and determining whether or not that’s a friend you want to continue being a part of your life.
Betrayal includes sleeping with a significant other, constant lying, starting rumors, or hurting your professional career. These are just a few of the many ways a friend can betray you.
However, determining if the betrayal is worth ending a friendship is on you. If, after feeling betrayed and wanting to continue the friendship, it is essential to have boundaries with them.
Boundaries are a way to keep friends in your life but at a distance to assess the situation further and see if the friendship improves.
9. Friendship Becomes Competitive
It’s great to have competitive friends to an extent. Competitiveness challenges you and pushes you farther than you can go alone.
However, competitiveness within a friendship can become borderline toxic. When a friend no longer supports you because they are competing against you, it is a friendship you do not want.
Usually, in a competitive fellowship, only one person wins. However, when working together as a team and helping each other out, both friends win.
A competitive relationship that does lift all parties involved is not a healthy or long-term friendship you should want in your life. It is essential to have friends who build you up and encourage you, people who genuinely want you to be as successful as they are.
10. Don’t Respect Your Boundaries
Boundaries are set to create comfort and ease within our life and are essential for our physical and mental well-being.
However, when boundaries are crossed by friends who do not take no for an answer, pressure you to do things that make you uncomfortable, or won’t stop until you say yes, it is likely a toxic friendship.
A true friend understands that when somebody says no, it means no. A true friend will respect the decision.
For example, a friend crossing the boundaries is when you say no to going out and drinking because you have to get up early for work the next day, and they continuously push you and pressure you, and won’t stop until you say yes.
When a friend constantly crosses your boundaries to fulfill their needs, they are not looking out for you but only themself. This is likely a toxic friend who doesn’t help you become a better person.
In conclusion, ending a friendship is a tough decision that requires careful consideration. It’s important to think it through carefully before taking any action.
Cutting off a friend can leave you feeling regretful and sad, so it’s best to set boundaries and distance yourself without completely cutting off the friend.
When considering whether or not to end a friendship, it’s important to prioritize your own mental and physical health.
This decision to end a relationship can significantly impact your overall well-being, so it’s important to approach it thoughtfully and without anger.
Only you can determine when to move on from a relationship.
Full List of When is it Time to Cut Off a Friendship?
- Only See Them When They Need Something
- Friendships Become Competitive
- Not Safe around Your Family
- Drain Your Energy
- Betrayal
- Always Negative
- One Sided Relationship
- No longer Making Contact
- Have a Substance Abuse Issue
- Don’t Respect Your Boundaries
Thank you for reading our article, When is it Time to Cut Off a Friendship? We hope you found it insightful and thought-provoking.
Friendships can be complex, and understanding when it may be necessary to let go is a vital part of personal growth. We would love to hear your thoughts on this articles and stories about when you may have needed to let a friend go!
About Author, Sara Elizabeth
Writer, Amora V Lifestyle
Sara is a writer for Amora V. Sara previously worked as a Marketing Manager and has her Master’s from Lindenwood University. Sara studies everything of interest, from psychology, recipes, finances, mental health, and travel, striving to find happiness and to live a good life.
When not learning, Sara loves all things outdoors, food, and hanging around great company. Furthermore, Sara loves spending time with family, whom she is blessed to have in her life.
Note from Author: I hope my articles bring you joy and peace, and that you enjoy them!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified mental healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. The authors of this blog are not liable for any errors or omissions in the information provided, nor for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of the information provided. I am not a professional relationship counselor, and my advice should not be considered as a substitute for professional help. It is important to communicate openly and honestly with your partner, friend or co-worker and seek guidance from a qualified professional if needed. Remember, every relationship is unique and requires individual attention and care.Any reviews or comments written are the subjective opinion of an Amora V member and not Amora V. Amora V performs occasional checks on commentary left by users. It’s worth mentioning that we may also use comments in our articles. By posting a comment, you are giving us permission to use it in our content. Please check out Privacy Policy and Terms of Use for full disclosure.
This is a really helpful post. It’s so hard cutting off people, especially when they’ve been in your life for a really long time. But sometimes cutting them off is the best thing for you. Thanks for sharing!
Oooof. I have one of these….. Great information and eyes opening!