20 Shocking Reasons People Walked Away from a Friendship

Byali shan

Adages like “With friends like these, who needs enemies?” exist because the warning they carry has been proven true time and time again. The reality is, not everyone knows how to be a good friend, and sometimes we don’t realize we’re surrounded by the wrong people until it’s too late. We take bites of those rotten apples, only to discover they’ve been poisoning us all along.

Unfortunately, this happens more often than we’d like to admit. We give toxic people the benefit of the doubt, hoping they’ll change, but sooner or later, their true nature reveals itself. Not everyone in your life genuinely wants to see you succeed or will stand by you through thick and thin.

Below, you’ll find stories from Thread users who recently shared the shocking moments they realized a so-called “friend” was actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing—just waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

#1

Image source: cookingwitnia, zinkevych / freepik

That’s a painful realization being excluded, especially when it’s intentional, can really hurt. Did you confront them about it, or was it one of those moments where you just knew it was time to walk away?

#2

  • That’s an awful betrayal. Someone who truly cared about you should have had your back, not sided with the person who hurt you. Did you cut ties immediately, or did it take time to fully see her true colors?

#3

Image source: exotically_made, goffkein / freepik

I’m so sorry you went through that. What she did was beyond betrayal—it was cruel and inexcusable. You deserved safety, support, and real friendship, not someone who would put you in harm’s way. It’s devastating to realize someone you cared for and helped could be capable of something so horrific. I hope you’ve found healing, support, and people who truly have your back. You didn’t deserve any of that. 💙

#4

Image source: kutlo___, pressmaster / freepik

That’s a heartbreaking list of betrayals. It sounds like she was never truly in your corner, only showing up on her terms while taking from you emotionally. Losing a parent is one of the hardest things, and for her to not be there on top of everything else really shows her true character. You deserved way better. Have you been able to surround yourself with real friends who genuinely support and uplift you?

#5

Image source: morganthebayer, diana.grytsku / freepik

That’s cold. A real friend wouldn’t think twice about helping you out in a situation like that. It’s one of those moments where actions speak louder than words she showed you exactly where you stood with her. Did that end up being the final straw for you?

#6

Image source: whoisraphaelleraux, fxquadro / freepik

That’s absolutely insane and terrifying. The fact that he was willing to put your life at risk just to impress someone shows he had zero loyalty or regard for you. It’s ironic that the very people he was trying to impress saw right through him and cut him off. Did you walk away from that friendship immediately, or did it take time to process just how dangerous he really was?

#7

Image source: artisthaileyhodge, zinkevych / freepik

That’s unbelievably selfish of her. You were literally doing the responsible thing by staying away to protect her and her baby, and instead of understanding, she made it about herself. A real friend would have checked on you, not guilt-tripped you for something out of your control. It’s heartbreaking to lose a friendship over something so unreasonable, but honestly, that sounds like a bullet dodged. Has she ever reached out since, or is she still holding onto that grudge?

#8

Image source: celestelior, EyeEm / freepik

Wow. You went above and beyond for her and her kids, and she couldn’t even extend basic kindness or consideration in return. Not even a thank you in the form of a little financial help or, at the very least, an invite? That “I didn’t know if you liked the artist” excuse is weak—she just didn’t want to include you. And the fact that she keeps coming back to town without a word? That says everything.

She was projecting when she talked about people being “s***ty.” She knew exactly who she was. I’m glad you see through it now because you deserve way better. Have you fully cut ties, or is she still lurking around pretending to be a “sister”?

#9

Image source: heydrdee, lookstudio / freepik

That’s pure jealousy, straight up. A real friend would be happy for you, not trying to tear you down like you’re somehow unworthy of enjoying something nice. That comment says way more about her insecurities than it does about you. Did you call her out on it, or was that the moment you knew she wasn’t really a friend?

#10

Image source: sincerelylita, gstockstudio / freepik

That’s just cruel. A friend of that many years should be celebrating your happiness, not tearing you down with backhanded insults. That kind of comment doesn’t come from love—it comes from jealousy and insecurity. Did you confront her about it, or was that the moment you realized she never truly had your back?

#11

Image source: coldbrewfae, freepik

Oof, that’s a tough one. You made her such a big part of your special day, and she couldn’t even return the favor? That really shows where you stood in her life versus where she stood in yours. Did she at least acknowledge it, or did she act like it was no big deal?

#12

Image source: beautifulldri, EyeEm / freepik

Wow. That’s the kind of reaction that tells you everything you need to know. Instead of celebrating your hard work and achievement, she dismissed it like it didn’t matter. A real friend would have been proud and excited for you. Did that moment change how you saw her, or had there been other red flags before that?

#13

Image source: elidet.smiles, rawpixel.com / freepik

That’s some serious bitterness on her part. Instead of celebrating your wins, she tried to downplay them—whether it was your weight loss or your career success. That kind of negativity says more about her insecurities than anything about you.

Good on you for distancing yourself. Letting her dig her own hole while you stay unbothered is the best move. Have you found a more supportive circle since cutting her off?

#14

Image source: mohalyak, EyeEm / freepik

That’s brutal, but at least she told the truth even if it was a heartbreaking one. It’s sad when you realize someone was only in your life to feel superior, not because they genuinely cared. A real friend would have been happy for you, not disappeared the moment you started thriving.

It must’ve hurt, but honestly, that kind of honesty was a blessing in disguise. No more wasted energy on someone who was never truly rooting for you. Have you found better, real friendships since then?

#15

Image source: mackenzieheflin_, SkelDry / freepik

Wow. That’s a gut punch. To your face, she was your friend, but behind your back, she was straight-up hating on you. No explanation, no excuse just pure betrayal. Good on you for walking away without another word. Some people don’t deserve closure.

Did she ever try to reach out after that, or did she just let it go?

#16

Image source: this_is_cee, EyeEm / freepik

That’s devastating. After a lifetime of being like family, for her to suddenly act like your bond wasn’t what you thought it was? That’s a deep betrayal. It’s one thing to grow apart, but to dismiss decades of love and history like that is just cruel.

You don’t misunderstand 30+ years of closeness she just decided to rewrite the narrative when it suited her. I don’t blame you for not forgiving that. Has she ever tried to reach out, or was that the final straw?

#17

Image source: oliviabrynnreads, freepik

In highschool, when I was being bullied so badly I wanted to 💀, she stayed friends with the bullies “because they weren’t mean to her.” I stayed friends with her because I loved her.
But then 10 years later, as I finally started to find my confidence, she told me I needed to “get off social media” and stop posting about books because people wouldn’t take me seriously as a mom. 🤯
I finally ended the friendship.

#18

Image source: prettyfairy.v, freepik

That’s absolutely unforgivable. A real friend would have stood by you, no questions asked not tried to justify the actions of your attacker. That kind of betrayal is beyond hurtful; it’s dangerous. I hope you were able to cut her out completely and surround yourself with people who truly care about and support you. You deserved so much better. 💙

#19

Image source: dpt_to_do, freepik

That’s pure jealousy disguised as “jokes.” Instead of celebrating your huge accomplishment, they fixated on something trivial just to bring you down. Buying a house is no small feat, and the furniture will come in time but real friends would have been cheering you on, not mocking you.

Did you call them out on it, or just let their negativity fade into the background while you kept winning?

#20

Image source: laurahamilton.cancan, halayalex / freepik

That must have been a painful realization, but good for you for walking away with no regrets. Once you see someone’s true colors, there’s no going back. Mocking you while on vacation together—that’s next-level fake. And those constant negging comments? Just little digs to chip away at you while pretending to be a friend.

Eight years of peace sounds like the best decision you could have made. Ever run into her since, or has she completely faded from your life?