Good friendships can add value and meaning to a marriage. They can help shape our relationship as well as bring out the best in it. We count on them to vent our frustrations to; we rely on them to encourage us to strive us to be better. But while there are loyal and true friendships that deserve to be cultivated, there are also toxic friends that we need to watch out for. These types of friends can cause problems in your marriage, if you’re not careful.
1. The friend who talks badly about her or your spouse
This type of toxic friend is constantly bad-mouthing her spouse or yours. It’s perfectly fine to vent to a friend every now and then, but if it becomes a constant topic, then that’s when it becomes worrisome, warns mom blogger Ashley Willis on Six Seeds. This type of attitude can easily affect how you view your own relationship. Your friend’s behavior can quickly become your own.
When you’re around a friend like this, you will find yourself putting yourself at risk of being constantly negative in order to “validate her own feelings” about her relationship.
2. The friend who can’t keep a secret
Confiding in one another is one of the elements of a trusting friendship. That’s why staying friends with someone who doesn’t value this, who reveals things shared in confidence like it’s nothing, is not a good idea.
Psychology Today cautions against revealing too much of your personal marital problems as it invites unsolicited well-meaning, but often biased, advice. This is especially important when you have a friend who constantly breaks your trust by gossiping about you behind your back.
photo: dreamstime
3. The friend who loves conflict
This friend is often the instigator of quarrels or the one who takes pleasure in other’s misfortunes. Even in their own life, they thrive on drama. You never know what is up with her, she always finds a way to blow petty things out of proportion. They can also be emotional bullies without even realizing it, focusing too much on how the friendship should benefit them more than being a good friend first.
4. The friend who always agrees with you
Yes, you read that right. No true friend will tolerate you all the time, even when you’re going down a harmful path. A friend who truly cares will be honest enough to call you out or to tell you when you’re jeopardizing your relationship.
Surrounding yourself with good people shows how much you value your marriage because you’re willing to go out of your way to sacrifice and perhaps cut ties with those who will only harm the happy, healthy relationship you have committed to building and improving.
Have you experienced having toxic friends? Do you have more kinds to add to this list? Do let us know in the comments below!
READ: The 5 Mommy Friends you need in your life
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