3 WAYS TO STAND UP TO CRITICAL FRIENDS

Sometimes a pal’s advice isn’t useful. If you’re fed up with their fault-finding, show them their behaviour is unacceptable. 1End

the conversation: Take a deep breath, and deflect your anger rather than heading into confrontation. A great way to respond to unwanted criticism is by saying, 2Create ‘Thank you for that. I’ll think about it.’

some space: Try a ‘cool-off’ period. We all need time out now and again, and a few months 3Recognise apart may lower tensions.

your worth: If their negativity persists, back away until the person gets the message. If someone is hurting you, they aren’t worth the hassle.

Fed up with being the therapist?

We want to be there for our friends, but lengthy phone calls and emergency self-esteem sessions can leave you drained.

Psychologist Dr Cecilia d’Felice suggests installing a ‘I will say this three times only’ rule. Offer your wisdom. If the friend keeps looping around the same problem, stay silent and change the subject.

Time to say goodbye

Life’s too short to sacrifice your own happiness for keeping others happy. It’s important to recognise when a friendship is hindering your life more than it’s providing joy. Some friends can bring you down with negative comments, draining conversations and demotivating chats. Sometimes, you just outgrow each other. We don’t think twice about ‘dumping’ problematic partners, so why is it taboo to break-up with toxic friends?