Ditching the Chaos: How to Spot a Toxic Friend

Devin C. Hughes
5 min readAug 4, 2024

Are you feeling drained, stressed, and downright unhappy after spending time with a particular friend? Do you find yourself questioning your own worth and constantly doubting your decisions? Chances are, you might be in a toxic friendship. While it can be challenging to recognize the signs, it’s essential to prioritize your mental health and well-being above all else. In this post, we’ll explore the common red flags that indicate you’re in a toxic friendship and provide tips on navigating the situation.

The Emotional Bankruptcy Act

Oh, welcome to the club where the currency is emotional investment, and guess what? You’re bankrupt! Ever find yourself in that delightful scenario where you’re the Oprah of emotional support — “You get my time! And you get my advice! Everyone gets my empathy!” — only to realize you’re shouting into the void? That’s right, your “dear” friend has the emotional generosity of a teaspoon, and here you are, trying to fill the Grand Canyon with your goodwill. Your so-called friend treats this whole thing like a one-way street, where they’re cruising in a convertible, and you’re left fixing potholes. If your emotional bank statement is showing more withdrawals than a college student’s checking account, it might be time to consider if this friendship is giving you any interest or just steadily depleting your reserves…

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Devin C. Hughes

Keynote Speaker | Mindfulness Maven | Happiness Muse | Author | Diversity & Inclusion Advocate | www.devinchughes.com