Finnish therapist explains when to end a friendship

Spending time with friends should ideally be a source of joy and support, but sometimes the opposite can occur, leaving individuals feeling drained and unhappy.

A Finnish psychotherapist, speaking to Ilta-Sanomat, offers guidance on recognizing when a friendship may be causing harm and when it might be time to end it. The expert notes that if regular interactions with a friend consistently lead to feelings of exhaustion, sadness, or a desire to avoid contact, it's a sign that the friendship's dynamic needs attention.

This emotional toll can manifest in various ways, such as dreading a friend's phone call or feeling a heavy burden after a conversation. The therapist suggests that these persistent negative feelings are indicators that the friendship may be unbalanced or detrimental to one's well-being.

While the article doesn't delve into specific scenarios, it highlights the importance of self-awareness in maintaining healthy relationships. The core message is that friendships should contribute positively to one's life, and when they consistently detract from it, re-evaluation becomes necessary.