This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: How many times a day do we see messages about protecting our peace, setting boundaries and cutting toxic people out of our lives? These messages are everywhere on social media and have become part of a broader "cut-off culture" that encourages people to walk away from relationships that feel emotionally exhausting or harmful.
Setting boundaries and recognizing unhealthy relationship patterns can be important forms of self-protection. But when applied to friendships, this approach can reduce a complicated relationship to two choices: tolerate the situation or end the friendship. Before deciding what to do with a "toxic friend," it is worth asking a more basic question: What is a friendship, and what do we expect from it?
High-quality friendships contribute significantly to our health, happiness and overall well-being. We learn about ourselves through our relationships with others. Because friendships are chosen, they give us opportunities to seek out people who challenge us, introduce us to new experiences and support us in unfamiliar situations.
This is particularly important at a time when loneliness and social disconnection have become significant public health concerns. Research describes loneliness as a subjective experience that can occur even when we are surrounded by others; both the quantity and quality of relationships matter. One survey found that 21% of adults reported serious feelings of loneliness.
Among those experiencing loneliness, 57% said they felt unable to share their true selves with others. Loneliness is not only an individual issue. There are broader political, social and environmental conditions that can make meaningful connection and belonging more difficult.
Having people around us is not necessarily the same as feeling connected to them. Friendships where we feel known, supported and able to be ourselves are critically important. We don't always agree on what friendship requires.
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