Are You Guilty of Being A Bad Friend?
Friendship is one of the most important things in life. Friends are there for us through thick and thin, sharing the highs and helping us through the lows. But let’s be real—sometimes, we might not be the best friend we could be. It’s easy to slip up, but recognising those habits and making changes is key to being the friend you’d want to have. Here are a few signs that you might be guilty of being a bad friend, and what you can do to fix it.
You Gossip Behind Their Back
We’ve all been there—caught up in a conversation where someone starts talking about a friend, and before you know it, you’ve joined in. Gossiping can feel harmless in the moment, but it can seriously damage trust and hurt your friend’s feelings if they find out.
Instead of engaging in gossip, try to redirect the conversation or, even better, stand up for your friend. It’s important to have their back, even when they’re not around. If you find that you’ve already gossiped, own up to it, apologize, and make a commitment to be more mindful in the future.
You Don’t Text Back
We get it—life is busy, and sometimes that text just slips through the cracks. But if not texting back becomes a habit, it can make your friend feel unimportant or ignored.
It’s all about making the effort. If you see a message but can’t respond right away, try to send a quick “I’ll reply later” text, so your friend knows you’ve seen it and care. And when you do have time, give them a thoughtful response. It shows that you’re invested in the friendship, even when life gets hectic.
You Don’t Make an Effort
Friendship is a two-way street, and it requires effort from both sides. If you find that you’re always waiting for your friend to reach out or make plans, you might be taking the friendship for granted.
Make a point to initiate hangouts, check in on them, or just send a random “thinking of you” message. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture—sometimes the smallest actions show that you care the most. Remember, a little effort goes a long way in maintaining a strong bond.
You Only Go to Them When You Have No Other Options
If you only reach out to your friend when your other plans fall through or when you need something, it can make them feel like they’re just a backup option. This behavior can cause your friend to feel undervalued and hurt.
Try to be more intentional about reaching out, even when you don’t need anything. Show up for them in the good times and the bad, and let them know that they’re a priority in your life, not just a last resort.
You Don’t Include Them
Whether it’s a group hangout or a spontaneous adventure, leaving a friend out can be really hurtful, even if it’s not intentional. It’s important to be aware of how your actions might affect your friends.
Make an effort to include them in your plans, and if they can’t make it, at least extend the invite. Feeling included helps strengthen the bond of friendship and shows that you value their presence in your life.
How to Fix It
Don’t worry—we’re all guilty of being bad friends from time to time, but the important thing is to recognize it and take steps to improve. Tend to your friendships like you would a garden: they need attention, care, and effort to grow. Apologize if necessary, communicate openly, and most importantly, show your friends that you appreciate them.
Having friends is so important in life, and the truth is, you will always need them. So, take the time to nurture those relationships, and you’ll find that not only do your friendships flourish, but you do too.