INTRODUCTION: THE BURDENS HIDDEN UNDER THE NAME OF FRIENDSHIP
Friendship is one of the most valuable bonds in a person's life. But sometimes, this bond becomes poisoned without us realizing it.
Criticisms hidden behind laughter, control disguised as help, and “close friends” who make decisions for you — these may be the hidden face of toxic friendships.
In this article, we will deeply explore what toxic friendships are, why we have trouble recognizing them, and how we can distance ourselves from these relationships.
1. WHAT IS A TOXIC FRIENDSHIP?
A toxic friendship is a type of relationship that harms you under the guise of goodwill, devalues you instead of supporting you, and builds its own identity over your existence.
This friendship is not built on equality, understanding, or support — but on competition, manipulation, and emotional control.
Signs include:
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Mocking your achievements
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Always centering their own problems, never listening to you
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Competing with you and putting you down
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Embarrassing you in front of others
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Saying things like: “Without me, you’re nobody”
In such a relationship, you slowly begin to feel small, unimportant, and somehow “indebted.”
2. WHY DON’T WE NOTICE IT?
Toxic friendships often last for years because:
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We’ve known the person since childhood
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We believe they are helping us
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We remain silent, thinking: “They’re my friend, I shouldn't be upset”
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We normalize their harmful behavior
Additionally, toxic friends often present themselves as “thoughtful, sincere, and constructive critics,” hiding their true intentions behind that mask.
3. THE BLOW TO SELF-CONFIDENCE
The most dangerous effect of a toxic friend is the blow they deliver to your self-worth.
When someone you once cared about says, “You’ve changed,” or “Don’t do that, you look ridiculous,” you lose your ability to see yourself clearly.
These kinds of relationships:
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Force you to question your own value
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Make you indecisive and insecure
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Dissuade you from forming new connections
4. TYPES OF TOXIC FRIENDS
There are several kinds of toxic friendships:
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The Competitive Friend: Always wants to be better than you
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The Victim Friend: Always makes you feel guilty
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The Manipulator: Pushes you to act according to their desires
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The Critic: Always says “You could have done better”
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The Overdependent Friend: Can’t function without you, suffocates you
5. HOW TO BREAK FREE?
Leaving these friendships isn’t easy — especially when it involves a long-time friend.
But your inner peace is more important than anything else.
Steps:
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Acknowledge your feelings: What is this friendship giving you?
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Set boundaries: Express what you no longer accept
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Distance yourself: Calmly, without drama, create space
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Focus on healthy relationships instead
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Don’t blame yourself: You are not responsible for “saving” anyone
6. INNER CLEANSING – FROM EMPTINESS TO FREEDOM
After ending a toxic relationship, a sense of emptiness is normal.
But remember — this emptiness is a space to rediscover yourself.
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Make room for people who bring new breath into your life
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Spend more time with yourself
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Do things that nourish you
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See silence not as fear, but as healing
CONCLUSION: NOT EVERYTHING CALLED FRIENDSHIP IS TRUE FRIENDSHIP
Not everyone who says, “I care about you,” is a friend.
Sometimes the one who appears to love you the most causes the most harm.
And you don’t have to tolerate it.
You have the right to breathe freely, to peace, to love, and to respect.
If a friendship is suffocating you — it’s no longer a friendship. It’s caged freedom.
SHEFEQ.COM’s COMMENT AND QUESTION
Here’s a question for you:
Which of your relationships bring you comfort, and which ones drain you?
Listen to yourself and choose wisely.
At Shefeq.com, we believe that the most authentic friendship you can build — begins with yourself.