Let’s talk about emotional vampires. No garlic or silver bullets needed—just some solid boundaries and a working sense of self-worth. These are the folks who sneak into your energy field, mess with your head, and call it friendship. Here’s the updated line-up of people I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to avoid.
Wheelbarrow people
These ones? You have to drag them. Not just once, but always. They never move unless you push. Their favourite hobby is outsourcing responsibility—to you. Their chaos becomes your calendar. They’re all take, zero give, and somehow make their laziness your moral obligation. They’ll have you burned out by brunch.
Reminder: if someone needs constant pushing, they’re not walking beside you. They’re cargo.
Mosquito people
They buzz in, suck the joy out of your day, and leave you itchy with regret. They show up when there’s something to gain, then disappear until the next feeding. When they praise you? It’s a setup. When they criticise you? It’s venom. You’ll hear them sing before they sting.
Watch for the ones who cheer loudest when you’re giving the most—and vanish when you need even a crumb of care.
Scaffolding people
Helpful… until they start acting like they built you. These are the ones who helped once, then turned it into a lifelong lease on your loyalty. They support you just enough to say they did, then demand credit every time you thrive. They’re not mentors, they’re micro-managers of your destiny.
Scaffolding is temporary. If it’s still around after the structure’s finished, it becomes clutter.
Crocodile people
They smile with their teeth. Don’t be fooled. These types get close not to support, but to snoop. They collect your secrets like currency, waiting for the day they can cash them in. When things go wrong, they’re not shocked—they’re satisfied.
If someone asks for vulnerability but offers none, they’re not safe. They’re strategic.
Chameleon people
These ones shape-shift depending on what you have. They’re only supportive when you’re struggling. The moment you start shining, they squint. Their friendliness masks comparison, and their silence speaks volumes. They’ll copy your moves but never clap for your milestones.
Envy wears many disguises. The most dangerous one is friendship.
Naysayer people
Built-in pessimists. Passion assassins. These folks think they’re being “realistic,” but what they really are is resigned. They’ll poke holes in your plans, step over your dreams, and hand you a list of why it won’t work. Their vibe? A wet blanket with a podcast.
Their doubt says more about their limitations than your potential.
Garbage pusher people
They collect drama like it’s currency. Their love language is sharing bad news. They thrive on outrage, chaos, and other people’s downfalls. If it’s unkind, they’ll forward it. If it’s shocking, they’ll post it. If it’s helpful? Radio silence.
You are not a landfill. Stop letting them dump on you.
Spotlight stealers
These ones treat your joy like a threat. You share good news, they pivot to their bigger one. You speak, they interrupt. They love your light—until it outshines theirs. Every celebration becomes a competition. Every compliment feels like a transaction.
Their ego can’t share space with your success. You’re not the problem. Their insecurity is.
Crisis merchants
Their lives are a never-ending soap opera and you’re expected to tune in daily. They thrive on chaos and want you emotionally invested in every plot twist. Boundaries? “You’re being cold.” Silence? “You’ve changed.” Your peace is seen as betrayal.
You are not their therapist, nor their emotional first responder. Let the drama end where your phone does.
Breadcrumbers
They give just enough attention to keep you hoping. Messages always come “when they have time.” Support is conditional. You’re always on the back foot, wondering where you stand. You’ll get more warmth from a damp sponge.
Consistency is kindness. Confusion is not a love language.
Echo chamber enablers
These ones only tell you what you want to hear. No feedback, no honesty, no growth. If you’re spiralling, they’ll hand you a shovel. Their comfort zone is keeping you stuck. It feels like support—but it’s sabotage with a smile.
Real friends challenge you with love. Enablers just nod while you self-destruct.
Final word: Your circle is your ecosystem. If it’s full of parasites, don’t be surprised when you feel sick. Curate it like your energy depends on it – because it does.
Am I communicating? Good. Now go check your guest list.
*This image is AI-generated with prompts made by me and serve no educational purpose, it is only used to highlight certain aspects of this article.
