Navigating Feelings, Toxic People and Fake Friends.

 

Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons-some gentle, some jarring. One of the most powerful lessons is learning how to navigate our feelings while dealing with toxic people and fake friends.

Feelings Are Valid—Even When Others Dismiss Them.

Let’s start with the obvious, your feelings are real. They’re not “too much.” They’re not “dramatic.” They’re signals. When someone hurts you, dismisses you, or constantly makes you feel like you’re not enough, your emotions are trying to tell you something.

Don’t ignore that little voice inside that says, this doesn’t feel right. Too often, we downplay our pain to keep the peace or preserve a connection that’s already draining us. But peace at the cost of your emotional well-being isn't peace—it's self-abandonment.

Toxic People Are Masters of Manipulation.

Toxic people don't always come with warning signs. Sometimes, they arrive in the form of charm, laughter, and shared secrets. But over time, their patterns emerge, constant negativity, subtle jabs, guilt-tripping, controlling behavior, or turning everything into a competition.

They make you second-guess yourself. They twist your words. They love bomb one minute and ghost the next. Their power lies in the confusion they create.

Here’s the truth: people who genuinely care about you won't make you feel small, unstable, or like you’re always the problem.

Fake Friends Aren’t Always Easy to Spot.

Fake friends can be even harder to identify because they often wear the mask of loyalty. They’re around when it’s convenient for them. They celebrate your failures more than your wins. They only reach out when they need something, and when you need support.... Silence.

True friendship isn’t about proximity or history. It’s about presence, consistency, and mutual respect. Real friends clap when you win, listen when you cry, and hold space for your mess without judgment.

Fake ones? They disappear when the spotlight isn’t on them.

How to Protect Your Peace

1. Trust your gut – If something feels off, it probably is.

2. Set boundaries – Saying "no" is a form of self-care, not selfishness.

3. Detach with grace – You don’t owe toxic or fake people an explanation.

4. Surround yourself with people who feel like sunlight – Warm, safe, and energizing.

5. Heal, don’t harden – Not everyone is out to hurt you. The right people will make you feel seen and safe.

Final Thoughts?

You are not too sensitive. You are not weak. You are human. And you deserve relationships that honor your heart, not damage it. Let go of the people who make you question your worth. Hold close the ones who remind you of it.

You don't have to carry everyone. Some people are meant to be lessons, not lifelong companions.