When cultivating friendships, it’s vital to take the time to understand the other person’s personality. Certain traits can significantly impact your well-being and the health of the relationship. Here are 10 personality traits that can harm you as you navigate your social connections.

1. Pessimistic. Studies have shown that pessimists are more accurate than optimists, but optimists are happier and more successful. Do you want to be right? Or would you rather be happy and successful? The choice is yours. Avoid pessimists. They make your life harder.

2. Gossip. Talking about other people wastes time and often leads to problems. People don’t trust those who gossip. Eventually, the person that you’re gossiping about finds out. It’s just not a good use of anyone’s time, and it’s low class. Be careful around those who gossip for fun.

3. Manipulative. No one wants to be around someone manipulative. They take more than they give and are fundamentally dishonest about their intentions.

4. Judgemental. Judgemental people are negative and will make you feel bad about yourself. If you’re judgemental, people will like you less. The world would be easier for everyone if people quit worrying about what other people are doing and worried about their behavior.

5. Disrespectful. A lack of respect for others is a toxic personality trait. Try to spend time with those who respect themselves and other people. If you’re a disrespectful person, ask yourself why.

6. Blaming. Blaming others is a way of avoiding responsibility for one’s results and behavior. It’s not attractive to blame others for your challenges. I like those that accept responsibility.

7. Passive Aggressiveness. This is a form of cowardice. Rather than having a difficult conversation, passive-aggressive people punish others in secret. It’s a weak way to approach life.

8. Dishonesty. We’re told from childhood, to be honest. Avoid anyone who can’t live life with a basic level of honesty. Dishonest people believe they cannot get what they want honestly or don’t care about honesty.

9. Overly Dramatic. Some people thrive off of drama and overreaction. These people are high maintenance and rarely worth the effort. If you like to be surprised, ask yourself what you get out of it.

10. Bitterness. Bitter people can’t let go of the past and embrace the present. Life doesn’t last forever. There’s no point in obsessing about how you were wronged in the past. You can improve your life and make it better than it is at this moment. Even if it’s too late to achieve the life you always wanted, you can still improve your life compared to how it is now.

When you encounter a person displaying any of these toxic personality traits, it’s crucial to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. In such cases, consider distancing yourself and cutting ties to avoid the detrimental impact they may have on your life. Recognizing these behaviors early can empower you to maintain healthier relationships and a more positive environment.