Have you ever been in a situation where a friend drains more energy than they give? We’ve all been there, and we know how frustrating it can be. They’re the type who makes us question why they’re in our lives.

The truth is that you do not have any business keeping such friends around if you want to maintain a positive energy while pursuing your goals. But how can you spot them? Do you wait until they’ve done damage to your life?

Certainly not! Today’s article examines five types of these friends so you can decide who to let go of and who to keep.

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The constant complainers

There’s always that one friend who never sees the silver lining in any situation. Unfortunately, such friends drain you without your knowledge. Psychology suggests that being around such people can rub off on your mood.

Like positivity, negative emotions are contagious, so don’t be surprised if you soon begin to see things from their perspective. Of course, we’re not asking you to abandon your friends when they share their pain or struggle with you. But take note of moments when it becomes a permanent fixture, with every conversation spiraling into a litany of grievances.

The fair-weather friend

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You’d definitely agree that fair-weather friends can be one of the most frustrating people to keep around you. These friends love to be around you in good times, but often mysteriously disappear when the going gets tough.

Please note that friendship requires effort from both parties. So if you begin to notice a consistent habit of a friend only being around in good times or when they’ll benefit from you, please run away.

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The constant critic

Here’s another terrible one. How can a friend never see the good in anything you do? Of course, we make mistakes, and our friends should be there to correct and lift us out of our mistakes.

But there’s a huge difference between constructive criticism and constant nitpicking. The latter is not healthy at all. So if your friend doesn’t see the good in anything you do, let them go before they harm your emotions.

The gossip

We all gossip once in a while. It’s such a fun way to bond. But there’s a thin line between harmless chatter and spreading hurtful rumours. If your friend seems to know the latest about everything and everyone around, that’s a red flag.

They’re not only disrespectful to the people they’re talking about, but it also means they may be talking about you when you’re not around.

The boundary crossers

This set of people will constantly disrespect or disregard the limits you set in your relationship with them. From invading your personal space to pushing you to share information you’re not comfortable with, these friends seem to always be in the aspects of your life you don’t want.

ALSO READ: 7 signs you’ve outgrown a friendship 

Of course, you know how mentally exhausting it can be to enforce boundaries constantly. So, instead of dealing with all those, why not gently leave and face your life?

Hey, it’s the Easter holiday again—a magical time for families to reconnect and create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a moment of twinkling lights, cozy traditions, and a welcome break from the usual routine.

But with that break often comes a challenge: how do you keep your kids happily engaged (and avoid them getting into trouble) during those long days at home?

Well, it’s doable, and that’s why we are writing this article.

This guide is packed with creative ideas and practical tips to keep your little ones entertained, learning, and connected this holiday season. Let’s get right into it.

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Create a Holiday Routine

Let’s start from where you should start – creating a holiday routine. A structured routine has many benefits, but the most important one is helping your child stay focused. Allocate specific times for study, play, and relaxation.

For instance, mornings can be reserved for chores and academic activities, while afternoons are for hobbies or creative play. A predictable schedule keeps your child disciplined while offering plenty of downtime to recharge.

Holiday-Themed Learning

Sneak in a bit of learning by tying educational activities to the holiday theme. Read Easter-related books to them and have them identify lessons. Try simple science experiments that they can learn from.

You can also create time to learn about holiday traditions from different cultures. Sites like Pinterest are goldmines for finding useful materials for teaching your kids. Don’t shy away from creatively inserting science lessons into their usual religious study books.

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Try Outdoor Adventures

If weather permits, bundle up and embrace the outdoors! Sledding, building sand houses, or even a family picnic can burn energy and lift moods. If you live in a warmer climate, a nature walk or backyard camping can be just as exciting.

In addition to keeping kids engaged, this can be a beautiful way to teach them to be aware of the environment. Just don’t forget to throw in useful lessons now and then.

Create a Holiday Journal

Encouraging kids to document their holiday through drawings, writings, or photos can be a wonderful way to keep them engaged while learning about the season. You can customize their journal however you want. Just make sure there is a section for:

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• What they did each day

• New things they learned

• Favourite Bible verses or Easter quotes

This quiet activity helps with creativity and literacy.

Easter Talent Show or Bible Quiz

Let the kids put on a show! Encourage them to sing, dance, recite poems, or act out Bible stories. You can even organise a small Bible quiz with prizes. It’ll entertain and educate them, and they’ll never forget the lessons learned through this means.

We’ve all been there—moments when our relationship gets clouded with feelings of insecurity. That feeling pushes us to ask our partner where they are going, even though we already know the answer.

Does this leave you badgering them for extra attention even though you spent the entire day together? It’s even the major reason you’ll repeatedly ask your spouse about spending time with a coworker, even when they’re just friends.

A little jealousy here and there doesn’t hurt, but it becomes a problem when it gets extreme. If you ever become unsure or unconfident about your relationship because you think you’re not good for your partner, you should find a solution.

Fortunately, you can break this terrible habit. You just need to be intentional about addressing the root of the problem so you can start feeling confident in your relationship again.

ALSO READ: 5 communication tips that will make your relationship more romantic

Here are useful tips that can help you ditch the feeling of insecurity in your relationship.

Start with self-love

The main cause of this kind of insecurity is often the absence of self-love. Holding on to a harmful limiting belief, like thinking you don’t deserve love, can lead to a lack of trust, and of course, you know how important trust is in any relationship.

The first step is to identify and overcome limiting beliefs. Learn to interrupt negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones. You’ll be surprised by how much security comes with improved confidence and self-love.

Learn effective communication

Communication is an important aspect of any relationship, and a lack of it can cause it to go bad. Psychologists agree that one of the best ways to stop being insecure in your relationship is to communicate effectively with your partner.

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Learn how best to communicate your feelings with your partner and have them do the same. This way, you can constantly reassure each other of your love and commitment to the relationship, leaving no room for insecurity.

Stop overanalysing

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Although we often choose to ignore it, a large part of our insecurity comes from overthinking or overanalysing. Our minds are naturally wired to our emotions, and that’s why our thoughts can easily affect our actions. When you dwell on negative thoughts about your partner, you’ll soon find yourself lashing out at them or being too defensive.

So, you can really become more secure by learning to control your emotions. Put your partner’s actions in perspective and don’t overthink their relationship with friends or the opposite gender. It’s what normal people do, and it’ll help you build your relationship better.

Always act like a new couple

We all know how electrifying the energy in new relationships can be. Remember when you started dating your partner? You wanted to be physically close to them and learn everything you can about them. It’s natural for this spark to fade with time, and you become comfortable in habits that lead to insecure thoughts from them.

Insecurity can spring up from them feeling like you’re no longer putting effort into your relationship. So, now’s the time to bring the spark back to your relationship. Drop flattering compliments about them, and plan surprise dates when possible. You’ll be surprised by how much confidence these little acts can build in you and your partner.

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