TikTok creator Lexie, a psychology student who posts under the handle @spicycokezero, recently broke down three commonly overlooked friendship red flags in a video that has garnered over 131,000 views. The post sparked dozens of comments from viewers sharing personal experiences and seeking advice on navigating difficult dynamics.
1. They Punish You for Having Other Friends
Lexie explains that this behavior often manifests as giving you the cold shoulder, guilt-tripping you, or becoming jealous when you spend time with other people. She emphasizes that a healthy friendship does not involve jealousy over other connections or viewing them as a threat.
2. You Constantly Feel Like You Have to Manage Their Emotions
According to Lexie, constantly monitoring what you say, apologizing unnecessarily, or changing your behavior to avoid upsetting a friend can signal an unhealthy dynamic. She notes that walking on eggshells around a friend is a clear indicator that the relationship may be unbalanced.
3. You Feel Worse About Yourself After Spending Time With Them
Frequent criticism, comparison, subtle competition, or invalidation can gradually erode self-esteem and emotional well-being, Lexie says. She adds that these behaviors can be difficult to recognize because they do not always involve direct insults and may instead appear as a pattern over time.
Viewers Share Personal Stories and Seek Advice
The comment section quickly filled with users reflecting on their own friendships. One commenter wrote, “if only I saw this 2 years ago…”
Another user detailed their decision to end a long-term friendship:
“All three of these are why I dropped a looooongterm friend. was hard, obviously, but worth it. still dealing with the repercussions of that friendship, too. I didnt realize how bad it was until quite a few other friends who are all pretty much the opposite of these red flags continued to point these behaviors out out of concern. you deserve good friends! glhf out there!”
Others asked for guidance on addressing their own behaviors. One user questioned, ‘Lowkey I feel like I did the first one but instead of understanding they cut me off but if you go on without talking to your friend what are you supposed to think?’
Another commenter admitted, “I get jealous of my friends’ friends sometimes. It’s something I know is wrong. I never mention it. But does anyone have any tips on how to be less like this?”
The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the claims made in the TikTok video. The details above are based solely on @spicycokezero’s account and the friendship advice she shared on TikTok.
