Ending a Friendship

Ending Friendship Can Be as
Heartbreaking as Lost Love

There are many reasons for ending friendships. A friendship may not have been based on mutual feelings of care for one another from the beginning. One or the other of the potential friends may not have been willing to pursue steps to a healthy friendship.

The other person may have had motives in pursuing a relationship with you that you did not become aware of until after you opened yourself to them.

One of the most common reasons for ending a friendship is that we find ourselves in an unhealthy or "toxic" relationship.

Some types of false or toxic friendships are with people who reveal themselves to be:

• Betrayers: Someone you have considered a friend discloses your secrets and betrays your confidence. They may double-cross you, constantly disappoint you and break promises. In a worst case scenario, they will cheat, lie or steal.
  
  
• Takers: This person enters into a friendship with you because you have something to offer that they want. It may be your connections to other people, your influence or your money. This kind of false friend may borrow and fail to return things, including money. They are likely to be self-absorbed, talking about themselves and their interests, never asking about you or your life. This person wants what you have, not to know you for who you are. They will leave you behind when they find someone who has more to offer.



• Controllers: This toxic friend needs to dominate you or the friendship. Decisions about what to do together, where to go or, sometimes, even what to think are not made together. Rather the will of the controller is imposed on you. They are prone to faultfinding and are overly critical. They are most often negative and they make you feel that way as well.



• Abusers: An abusive person is likely to be obsessive, possessive and exhibit manipulative behavior. They verbally, physically, or sexually harm you. The abuse is not only physical, but psychological as well. An abuser may try to keep you isolated from other friends. They may call you obsessively. They are likely to try to make you feel guilty, afraid or dependent. Some of their behavior may even be criminal such as stalking you.



• Therapists: This person wants to be overly involved in your life. They have a need to analyze everything and give you unwanted advice. Making you appear dependent on them and their "wisdom" makes them feel superior. They appear to need to be a friend's keeper, mother or nursemaid, rather than an equal.

Attract And Maintain Fruitful Friendships That Will Last A Life-Time