First of all, it's important to understand what makes a toxic friend. If a friend makes passive aggressive comments like "your parents just give you whatever you want" or "I'll just stay home, while you hang out with your other friends"  ... then they may be a toxic friend. If they make you the butt of embarrassing jokes around other people .... then they may be a toxic friend. Or, if they cancel plans with you if something better comes along .... then YEP they may be a toxic friend.

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Toxic friends come in many shapes and sizes: The Negative Nelly, is a real bummer and always complaining about something, then they often blame others for their problems. They play the constant victim where you are often their counselor and consoler. This can cast a real shadow on your ability to have fun when they are around. The Lip Flapper, likes the attention of one-upping you. If you tell a story, then they can tell one better. They make your friendship feel like a competition. The Gossip, is more interested in your secrets than they are in you. Nothing is sacred or off-limits when it comes to sharing your story.

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Toxic friends can be exhausting and hurtful. It can also be infectious if you spend a lot of time with these type of people. It's difficult to keep a positive attitude when you're surrounded by negativity. It's easy to ignore a negative person if you aren't friends, but what do you do if your friend is the person who is toxic? Do you tell them, ditch them, or ignore the issue?

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With so many varying degrees of behavior, there's no correct answer to these questions. You have to evaluate each and every friendship. Relationships are supposed to be a reciprocal arrangement, so if your needs for true friendship aren't being met, then there's nothing wrong with hanging out with someone else.

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