Have you ever been friends with someone for so long and one day you wake up and decide that you have had enough of the friendship?
As we grow older, some friendships drift apart for one reason or another or due to unavoidable circumstances. Personally, the minute I feel like I just don't relate to this person anymore or they no longer add any value to my life I cut them off. Life is too short to be stuck in toxic friendships and have fake friends around you. So, how do you know that it's time to end a friendship?
Here are some signs:
1. You feel like the friendship is one-sided.
Your helping your friend in any way you can but they are not reciprocating. You are not the UN, if someone only comes to you when they need help, it's clear that they're using you.
2. The add no value whatsoever to your life.
Why do we have friends? To have someone we can lean on, talk to when we need someone, a buddy who we can share all our secrets with, have a companion and do fun stuff together or even grow each other. Is your friend adding any value to your life? It could even be something as simple as being there for you when you're down or giving you life advise if not, you need new friends.
ALSO READ: 10 reasons why you're losing friends
3. This person is dragging you into their bad lifestyle choices.
Drugs, excessive partying, sponsor mentality, etc., you're getting dragged into all the bad habits and if you do not get out now, you will be soon find yourself on the wrong path.
4. You have noticed that they constantly make rude, racist, tribal or sexist remarks.
In Kenya, during elections, that's when you realize that some of your friends are bigots. I don't know about you but I'm not going to have friends who look down on others because of social status, gender or even race.
5. You can sense some jealousy and competitive behaviour in this person.
It's almost as if you're in competition. If you have great things going on for you they will spot the negatives instead of being happy for you.
6. The person is competing for attention with your partner.
Have you ever been in a situation where you are forced to choose between your friend and your partner? My ideal kind of friend has his/her own life. She/he can do things without me on some days. Life does not revolve around me. If I am at a point where I have to choose between the boo and a friend, I'm definitely picking the boo, if he's someone I treasure and love of course.
7. Someone you can't trust.
You know those friends that you tell your secrets and before you know it, literally everyone and their mother knows all about your life? You really cannot be friends with someone you cannot trust as you will always have to watch what you tell them which breaks the essence of friendship.
Call me petty but I once stopped talking to this chick who was a good friend simply because she had flaked on me one too many times. When someone would rather be elsewhere than spend time with you or has excuses almost every time you want to hang out, that should tell you where you stand.
9. You feel reluctant to hang out with them.
We are adults, we are grown. You really don't have to force yourself to hang out with someone you don't want to. I'd rather a party of one than being in a group where I can't relate or feel absolutely uncomfortable.
10. Deep down, you feel it's time to let that shit go.
ALSO READ: 5 reasons why it’s better to have a small circle of friends than a big one