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  • Letting go of any friend can be heartbreaking.

  • It's like saying goodbye to a piece of yourself.

  • You think about all the memories you made. You laughed and cried together;

  • You shared experiences that you'll remember for years to come, but that doesn't guarantee your friendship is destined to last a lifetime.

  • So, how do you know whether or not a friendship needs to end?

  • Here are eight signs that you're spending time with the wrong friend.

  • 1: You feel trapped.

  • Do you feel trapped inside your friendship?

  • Many people never escape unfair or toxic friendships because they feel stuck, like a bug caught in a spider's web.

  • In a (year) 2000 study, Fincham and weber explained that healthy friendships give you the option to stay or go.

  • You should never feel obligated to maintain a friendship.

  • It should always be your decision.

  • If you ever feel like there's no way out: you may be friends with the wrong person.

  • 2: You're at different stages in life.

  • Are you and your friend at different stages in your lives?

  • Are you focused on work while they're just trying to have fun?

  • Many of your friendships will fade away as your priorities change.

  • In the past, it was fun to spend time with your friend who was carefree.

  • But now you're hoping to meet people who inspire you.

  • If this resonates, your current friendship may not be a perfect fit.

  • 3: Your friend betrays your trust.

  • Trust is the foundation of every lasting friendship.

  • Does your friend break your trust over and over?

  • Does your friend start spilling your secrets behind your back?

  • Each time your friend betrays your trust, how does that make you feel?

  • Embarrassed? Angry? Maybe even disappointed.

  • If you know someone who constantly betrays you, they might not be a friend worth keeping.

  • 4: Your friend is living in the past.

  • Leaving an old friend is hard.

  • You two have so much history together.

  • Years ago they may have been your best friend, but are they a good influence in your life right now?

  • Old friends often latch on to an outdated image of you.

  • That's not always a bad thing, but good friends should foster your growth: not drag you back to the past.

  • To learn more about this subject Check out our recent video: '6 Signs That It's Time To Let Go of a Best Friend'

  • Where we explore the challenges of saying goodbye to someone you really care about.

  • You can find this video and more valuable resources in the comment section below.

  • 5: You're not happy around them.

  • In a 1988 study, Adams explains that friendship and well-being go hand-in-hand.

  • So ask yourself, "Do I feel happy and satisfied around my friend?"

  • If you do, your friendship is likely strong, healthy, and fulfilling.

  • But what if your friend makes you feel unhappy or self-conscious?

  • If someone is hurting your psychological well-being, you may be friends with the wrong person.

  • 6: Your friend doesn't make investments.

  • In a 2003 study Oswald and Clark discovered that investments demonstrate the strength of any friendship.

  • Investments are any kind of small commitment.

  • Like, letting your friend borrow your jacket.

  • Each time you invest in someone, you're showing your faith in the future of your friendship.

  • For example, you and your friend buy tickets for a show six months from now.

  • You're making an investment because you're assuming you'll still be friends in six months.

  • Unhealthy friendships usually feel unstable, like they could collapse at any moment.

  • So pay attention to the ways your friends invest in you.

  • 7: Your friend disrespects your goals

  • Does your friend disrespect your ambitions?

  • Do they distract you, talk down to you, or belittle your goals?

  • Friends should respect and support each others goals.

  • If something is important to you, it should be important to your friends too.

  • The right friend will build you up, while the wrong friends will tear you down.

  • And 8: Your friend takes too much of your time.

  • Is your friend taking up all of your time?

  • All friendships require a commitment.

  • It makes sense to dedicate a certain amount of time to keep those relationships alive and healthy.

  • However...

  • Friendships shouldn't eat up every second of your day.

  • The most important part of a healthy lifestyle is balance.

  • So, if your friend is demanding too much of your time, they may not be the right friend for you.

  • Does your friend in mind display any of these signs? If so, what do you plan to do next?

  • Let us know in the comment section below.

  • Don't forget to click the like button and subscribe for more psychology content.

  • And as always, thanks for watching and we'll see you in our next video.

Letting go of any friend can be heartbreaking.

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