Every relationship is worth it when it comes back and forth, and friendship should never be one-sided! There is one side friendship and here is what you need to know about it.
Are you the first person to always make plans? Do you think you are working harder on your friendship than your friends? It’s possible that your friends are simply busy, but that may mean you’re stuck in a one-sided relationship. Love on one side may evoke a heartfelt story and attract the attention of everyone. However, one-sided friendship also causes quiet suffering. These disproportionate bonds can be just as hurtful and confusing, one person invests heavily and one person remains apart. On Friendship Day 2024, know what one-sided friendship entails and how it is often overlooked in your relationship.
What is one-sided friendship?
As the name suggests, one-sided friendship is a relationship in which one person invests significantly more effort and emotional energy than the other. So unrequited love is not exclusive to love relationships! You may also experience them in friendship. One of this type of friendship may feel deeper commitment or attachment, and the other may be far away or unresponsive. This imbalance is why people are trying so hard to get frustrated that they need to be addressed. If the situation doesn’t change, these kinds of friendships are destined to be fated, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about them.
Signs of unilateral friendship
It’s not too difficult to overlook one-sided relationships, but some people tend to overlook the signs. Here are some signs of one-sided friendship that you shouldn’t ignore:
1. Lack of communication
No matter what type of relationship you have, communication is the key to getting things to work. If you find yourself starting a contact via calls, texts, or social media, it is rare for someone else to reach out or respond first.
Read again: Do you want to avoid toxic relationships? Stop doing these things!
2. There is no reciprocity
Well, this is basic! You will always listen to their problems! You are there to support your friends emotionally, but they rarely return favors or provide the same support. When you actually need them (and it happens all the time) if your friends aren’t there, is it really a friendship or do you have a lot of expectations for people who aren’t interested?
3. It’s always about your friends
If you’re a good friend, you’ll listen! If your conversation revolves around their needs, emotions, and crisis, and that’s very little about you – signs of one-sided friendship! It also happens that they decide everything about you and don’t give too much importance or think about your opinion. You should make new friends.
4. They don’t share much
Friendship can sometimes be unbalanced when one person doesn’t share much and ends up spilling beans. Some people may not be used to opening up about emotional distress. However, if they are constantly sharing superficial details, or if your conversations always seem flat and incomplete, this friendship may be one-sided. Also, it has become a pattern for your friends to act, you may want to appreciate your friendship.
5. Friendship is convenient for them
Are you always starting contacts? Do your friends only contact you when they need help? If your friend only reaches out to you when he needs assistance, dating, funds, hauling, or other favors, that may mean they are using you. Especially if they don’t call you or text you to check in or spend time.
6. Feeling drained
Do you feel emotionally exhausted after talking to friends? If you are emotionally exhausted or underestimated after interacting with a friend, your friendship is one-sided.
The effects of unilateral friendship
Like any other relationship, friendship can also lead to problems when you work and feel upset. One-sided friendship can affect you:
- A healthy relationship may improve your self-worth, but an unhealthy relationship may make you question yourself.
- You may feel like something is missing or you are not as interesting as a person.
- Your friend may not have any bad intentions, but it may make you feel disconnected and unworthy.
- Having good friends can help you feel lonely, but one-sided or unhealthy friendships can do the opposite.
How to repair one-sided friendship?
Not all relationships are easy to let go, and some friendships last for life. These are worth saving, and something misunderstood can become the perpetrators who ruin it. So, if you think your friendship is worth saving, try these methods to make your friendship work:
Looking back on the problem
The first step is to self-assess the problem and see if there is an imbalance and what is needed for friendship. We look back at whether these needs are realistic and whether others can meet them. If that’s affecting you mentally, you might want to deal with it.
I will communicate clearly
It is important to have conversations to maintain any relationship. Your friend may not mean that it’s the way you think and is going through something. Open dialogue helps you understand each other’s opinions and clean the air.
Discuss the boundaries
Every relationship needs boundaries! Be open to clearly communicate your boundaries, communicate your needs to your friends, and negotiate how both of you can meet with each other’s perspectives.
Take a step back
If you think this friendship is one-sided and you’re running out of you, don’t invest your energy and rise. Reevaluate your friendship and if it’s not working, focus on healthier relationships. You may have better friends and you may want to divert your energy into it.
Give me time
It takes time to repair one-sided friendships. Make sure you both have the space to adjust and grow in new dynamics. You may want to look for effort from both parties that are consistent and sincere.
How can you end a one-sided friendship?
If a one-sided relationship with a friend is causing pain, let it go.
1. Please be clear
If your friends continue to act the same after they have communicated your problems and expectations, then it’s time to let them do. If they are not interested, clearly state that you don’t want to strive for anything.
2. Please don’t reach out
If you want to finish, stop calling or texting. Own your decisions and focus on non-selfish friendships. You may want to end your friendship and avoid it, as you were being used.
3. Choose your people wisely
Losing a friend can hurt, but you chose to finish it for a reason! If you feel injured, stay around people who love you and value your company. Tell them how you feel to avoid succumbing to these emotions.
Read again: Keep your toxic friends aside and bond with these five types of friends instead
True friends are always there for each other and intentionally hurt no one. So make sure the people around you don’t underestimate you and are worth your time. Friendship is only worth it if you are going back and forth!
