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Letting go of any friend can be heartbreaking.
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It's like saying goodbye to a piece of yourself.
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You think about all the memories you made. You laughed and cried together;
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You shared experiences that you'll remember for years to come, but that doesn't guarantee your friendship is destined to last a lifetime.
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So, how do you know whether or not a friendship needs to end?
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Here are eight signs that you're spending time with the wrong friend.
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1: You feel trapped.
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Do you feel trapped inside your friendship?
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Many people never escape unfair or toxic friendships because they feel stuck, like a bug caught in a spider's web.
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In a (year) 2000 study, Fincham and weber explained that healthy friendships give you the option to stay or go.
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You should never feel obligated to maintain a friendship.
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It should always be your decision.
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If you ever feel like there's no way out: you may be friends with the wrong person.
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2: You're at different stages in life.
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Are you and your friend at different stages in your lives?
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Are you focused on work while they're just trying to have fun?
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Many of your friendships will fade away as your priorities change.
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In the past, it was fun to spend time with your friend who was carefree.
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But now you're hoping to meet people who inspire you.
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If this resonates, your current friendship may not be a perfect fit.
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3: Your friend betrays your trust.
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Trust is the foundation of every lasting friendship.
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Does your friend break your trust over and over?
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Does your friend start spilling your secrets behind your back?
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Each time your friend betrays your trust, how does that make you feel?
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Embarrassed? Angry? Maybe even disappointed.
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If you know someone who constantly betrays you, they might not be a friend worth keeping.
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4: Your friend is living in the past.
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Leaving an old friend is hard.
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You two have so much history together.
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Years ago they may have been your best friend, but are they a good influence in your life right now?
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Old friends often latch on to an outdated image of you.
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That's not always a bad thing, but good friends should foster your growth: not drag you back to the past.
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To learn more about this subject Check out our recent video: '6 Signs That It's Time To Let Go of a Best Friend'
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Where we explore the challenges of saying goodbye to someone you really care about.
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You can find this video and more valuable resources in the comment section below.
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5: You're not happy around them.
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In a 1988 study, Adams explains that friendship and well-being go hand-in-hand.
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So ask yourself, "Do I feel happy and satisfied around my friend?"
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If you do, your friendship is likely strong, healthy, and fulfilling.
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But what if your friend makes you feel unhappy or self-conscious?
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If someone is hurting your psychological well-being, you may be friends with the wrong person.
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6: Your friend doesn't make investments.
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In a 2003 study Oswald and Clark discovered that investments demonstrate the strength of any friendship.
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Investments are any kind of small commitment.
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Like, letting your friend borrow your jacket.
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Each time you invest in someone, you're showing your faith in the future of your friendship.
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For example, you and your friend buy tickets for a show six months from now.
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You're making an investment because you're assuming you'll still be friends in six months.
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Unhealthy friendships usually feel unstable, like they could collapse at any moment.
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So pay attention to the ways your friends invest in you.
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7: Your friend disrespects your goals
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Does your friend disrespect your ambitions?
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Do they distract you, talk down to you, or belittle your goals?
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Friends should respect and support each others goals.
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If something is important to you, it should be important to your friends too.
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The right friend will build you up, while the wrong friends will tear you down.
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And 8: Your friend takes too much of your time.
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Is your friend taking up all of your time?
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All friendships require a commitment.
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It makes sense to dedicate a certain amount of time to keep those relationships alive and healthy.
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However...
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Friendships shouldn't eat up every second of your day.
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The most important part of a healthy lifestyle is balance.
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So, if your friend is demanding too much of your time, they may not be the right friend for you.
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Does your friend in mind display any of these signs? If so, what do you plan to do next?
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Let us know in the comment section below.
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Don't forget to click the like button and subscribe for more psychology content.
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And as always, thanks for watching and we'll see you in our next video.