Key signs that you have emotionally draining friends

Want to confirm if you have emotionally draining friends?  These significant signs will help you to identify why you may feel like you do in your friend's presence and once you leave.

Having friends and people you consider your tribe is a beautiful thing. Typically, friends are those you confide in, and spend a lot of time with. They are in your life to serve a purpose. However, some friends you have may need to serve a better purpose in your life. Be aware of the people who fill your cup, and those who take from your cup.

The feeling of someone taking from your cup can be draining. If it's someone you consider a friend, it can be a danger zone due to you spending more time with this individual. Emotionally draining friendships are not discussed enough - this could be due to the lack of mental and emotional awareness to identify the signs.

After learning about the significant signs, you will be much more alert and aware of how to deal with emotionally draining friends if they are in your circle.

This Blog Article is all about identifying the major signs that you have emotionally draining friends.

Key Signs you have emotionally draining friends

First, let's identify the signs of an emotionally draining person. Remember this: identifying them as an emotionally draining person is less about them and more about how they make you feel. If they are taking a lot from your emotional and mental well-being, they may not be the best fit for you, or this may be a season for you to retreat from them. 

It's less about them and more about how you feel around them. Are there things they talk about that depletes you? Are they putting their stress and worry on you? Most importantly, what are their views about life, and how do they speak about their own life?

Signs of an Emotionally draining friendship:

Negative Attitude

The famous quote still stands: your attitude determines your altitude. This stands true with you and your friendships as well; you can only go so far with someone who has a negative attitude. Suppose you have a friend with a negative attitude - the signs may look like this:

• Negative small talk within a conversation
• Always seeing the negative in situations and people
• Behaviors such as gossip

Behaviors like this can rub off on you if you are not careful.

Complaining

Complaining all the time is a big No- No. If you strive to see the glass half full and not half empty, being around someone who complains constantly can take a lot from your positive cup. A complaining friend can look like:

• Speaking negatively about the same problem over again
• Talking about a new problem in the same negative light as before
• Never have solutions to the problem they are complaining about

But that’s what friends are for, right, to be there for each other’s problems? Yes, however, if you give a solution to their problem and they make an excuse or continue to neglect the solution or suggestion you have recommended and continue to complain- that can take a toll on you.

How to handle emotionally draining friends

Handling emotionally draining friends may be more challenging if you are NOT ready to end the friendship. However, knowing how to set boundaries with emotionally draining friends is vital. Setting boundaries may look like this:

• Changing the topic of conversation when they start to gossip.
• Replying with noticeable positive remarks when they are talking negatively about a situation.
• Have a conversation with them about the thing that bothers you.

You are deserving of a liberating environment with liberating people. Your mental and emotional well-being matters. The friendships you have matter, and the conversations you have matter. Know when enough is enough and know when to back away.

This Blog Article was all about identifying and handling emotionally draining friends.