Black Women Mental Space

Guest Posting: Hey yall! My good friend, Nikita wrote a post about cutting toxic people from your life. It is imperative that we protect our energy at all times. What are your thoughts on ending toxic friendships? Let’s talk in the comments below

Let’s be honest, we all have those friends. Those that we have been holding on to even though it’s a one sided friendship. Those who aren’t there when it’s time to support only when it’s time to celebrate the wins. Those we keep around out of “obligation” to the friendship’s history but that’s it.
Let those “friends” go. They are toxic to your mental health.
After family, friendships are some of the strongest bonds we will have with other human beings. Toxic friendships can affect the way you view yourself and your position in life. Who needs that? Not you.
Here are 4 steps to end toxic friendships (peacefully):

1. Tell them what’s on your mind.
   Don’t become passive aggressive and start giving them the cold shoulder hoping they will read your mind. They won’t and it will just make things weird. Tell them what’s on your mind and see if your can repair your friendship. If they don’t show any plans to be a better friend, move on to number
2. Cease communication across the board.
   Ending a friendship is like ending a relationship. You need to move on from it and you don’t need a daily reminder of them popping up on you. Unfollow or mute them (I’m a fan of the former) on all social media platforms, take yourself out of group chats that include them and delete their number. Tough I know but necessary.
3. Talk to your friends about the friendship ending.
   Let your friends know that you guys are no longer friends and why. Let them know so they won’t be so inclined to mend a friendship that is over. They can skip the sister circles and let you two move on amicably.
4. Move on and embrace the wonderful friendships you do have!
   Letting go of toxic friends should call for gratitude for the friendships that support us, uplift us, pour into us and inspire us. Draw closer to the ones who hold you down like you do them.
   BIO: Nikita is the woman behind the lifestyle blog, Oh That’s Nik and a freelance writer. When she isn’t posing as a fake runner (Nikita’s words), she is working on a book that is never ending. She is also a therapy advocate especially for black men.