We’ve all had our fair share of toxic friendships, haven’t we? Some of us have dealt with unhealthy and quite frankly, very messy friendships as adults. Once we finally find the courage to break free, it’s easy to lose hope in finding that ideal friendship—the one where you’re completely yourself without any fear of judgement. One where honest conversations don’t turn into a beef and a potential story time on TikTok. It’s the type of friendship filled with love, respect, honesty, support, laughter, and, yes, even some tears. If you think we’re being overly dramatic, consider yourself lucky; you’ve probably never been in a toxic friendship. But for those of us who have learned our lessons the hard way, it’s time to move on and attract healthy friendships. Here’s how we can do it:
First of all, you should believe that you are capable of having a healthy friendship. This will require some deep self-reflection. Are you unintentionally the one causing issues in your relationships? We think that being brutally honest with yourself is essential. We never want to be the reason someone else is hurting. It’s crucial to work towards being a better person, not just for others but for yourself. That way, we’re actually able to be healthy people who are able to have healthy relationships.
Next, we make sure to familiarise ourselves with the tools for healthy friendships. One thing we did was to start practising these tools even in our pre-existing relationships, no matter how unhealthy they seemed. We’re talking about tools like effective communication, mutual respect, honesty and consistent effort. You might be surprised how these elements can transform a shaky friendship into a solid one.
Furthermore, it’s important to put yourself in spaces where you can meet like-minded people who are searching for the same emotional and spiritual connections. Whether it’s joining a book club, volunteering, or attending workshops, surround yourself with people who share your values and interests. This makes it easier to form meaningful, healthy connections.
The next point is our life’s principle—always be your most authentic self. Even though it’s tempting to put up a façade to fit in, maintaining that fake image is exhausting and damn near unsustainable. We think growth is a natural part of life, but pretending to be someone you’re not will only lead to disappointment for both you and your potential friends. If someone can’t accept the real you, then they are simply not for you.
Honestly, in attracting healthy friendships, it’s important not to project past trauma and hurt from previous toxic friendships onto new ones. We believe that everyone deserves a fair chance. If you find yourself doing this, it may be a sign that you need to deal with some unresolved issues. Addressing these concerns can make a world of difference in forming new, healthy relationships.
Lastly, please remember that you have the right to pick and choose who you let into your life. We suggest that you take your time and look closely at the people you meet. Healthy friendships are not about quantity but quality. You deserve relationships that uplift and support you.
To wrap up, transitioning from toxic to healthy friendships isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. We hope that our suggestions help you attract the kind of relationships that spark joy and value to your life. And remember, you’ll always have a healthy friendship with us at NayLiving.
Here’s to building better friendships and being our best selves!
