45 Inspirational Quotes To Remind You You're Right Where You Need To Be

1. Acting possessive is a huge friend red flag.

"You don't have to prove you're my BEST friend by constantly saying it to everyone out loud or excluding people with inside jokes — you can just BE my best friend," says editor Haley Sprankle. Like y'all, friendships aren't supposed to make us feel like an item!

2. They don't care about your boundaries.

If a friend doesn't care about boundaries you've set in place, that's a clear sign they don't actually value your relationship. One user on X thinks it's a huge red flag if "they do not respect your time, boundaries, energy, possessions, work, privacy, or space. They expect you to change and adjust yourself to their liking."

3. It's a red flag if a friend never pays attention during conversations...

One big friend red flag is when someone never pays attention while you're trying to have a heart-to-heart — or if they're checking other messages. "One of my pet peeves is when people constantly check their Apple watches when we're in the middle of a conversation," says Entertainment Editor Chloe Williams. "Which is also why I will never buy one for myself."

4. Or if they only talk about themselves.

We all joke that our dates never ask us questions, but the same rule should apply to friendships! Staff writer Kayla Walden considers it a friend red flag if someone "never [reciprocates] questions and [asks] how I am (a selfish needy Gemini here)." So valid.

5. Never learning to work through disagreements should be a friendship red flag.

"A red flag in friendships is being agreeable on every little thing," @mikaylaxcvi says on X. "I’d much rather be told the truth, lightly & sweetly, than coddled. A grow together type of friendship." Preach.

6. Realizing a friend expects to be the center of your universe is a huge no-no.

Staff writer Jasmine J. Williams says one issue she finds in friendships is if the supposed friend wants to be the most important person in every situation, like "getting upset because of your work schedule, life's emergencies, navigating newborn stage, etc." No thanks!

7. A friend shouldn't be rude to others.

It's totally natural to be closer to some people than others. But making a point to exclude everyone around you? Not the vibe. "Red flag: when I notice they make plans without including everyone in the room but they make it loud enough for everyone to hear that they're making plans," says Brit + Co Social Media Assistant Melanie Cornejo.

8. And a friend shouldn't be overly critical.

B+C editor Haley also things a friend red flag is when someone is "critical of all their friends' new relationships."

9. Turning every single detail into a competition is a friendship red flag.

"Acting like everything is a competition really stresses me out and definitely has the potential to end a relationship before it begins," Entertainment Editor Chloe says. "It just makes every conversation feel inauthentic."

10. And friends DEFINITELY shouldn't talk behind your back.

Talking crap to other people is a major friend red flag, hello! "If you are friends with someone who talks sh—t about people but smiles in their face later in front of you..Guess what they’ll eventually do to you?" @oriiizgold tweeted.

11. A friend also shouldn't make you feel bad about yourself.

It's not great if friends "make 'innocent jabs' at you around other people," Social Media Assistant Melanie says. If conversations constantly make you feel bad, then that's definitely not good, y'all.

12. Outright refusing to engage with current issues isn't great.

Limiting your social media & news exposure for mental health is one thing, but completely ignoring the state of the world is another. "If you [don't know] and don't wanna know about war crimes, current conflicts, and famine is just you enjoying your privilege and living in your bubble and I see it as a lack of humanity so...red flag," @OvenPsychological485 says on Reddit.

13. And don't forget, YOU don't want to have friendship red flags either!

"My friendship red flag for myself is when I notice myself starting to contort into being obsessively helpful & overly accommodating," @pigletish says on X. "Means I don’t feel comfortable, am masking to perform likability & need to check-in on why I feel discomfort." That's a good reminder for us all!

1. You're never sure what kind of mood your parents will be in before you walk in the living room or kitchen.

Let's put this on record: parenting is tough — especially on top of trying to maintain a work-life balance. But, this doesn't mean you're meant to be unsure of what to expect every time you come around your parents. If you have to "'read the room'" a lot "before speaking," Slavens indicates this is one of the more subtle signs of dysfunction.

This is where you may have learned how to become passive-aggressive if that's something you struggle with. The reason for this is because "clear and direct communication is avoided and/or seen as bad or aggressive," according to Dr. Miller.

2. You tend to feel like you're constantly compared to and in competition with your siblings.

My heart truly wants to believe this isn't intentional behavior from parents, but I can't say I haven't heard people talk about feeling like they'd never measure up to the 'golden child' of their family. You may have felt insecure about your grades, the college you chose to go to, your career goals, or even your physical appearance. Slavens says this "struggle with self-worth or second-guessing yourself constantly" is yet another sign that your family's dynamic wasn't the healthiest.

Also, Dr. Miller says this could've caused you to learn to "shrink yourself in the presence of loved ones." Even worse, you may "feel the need to hide pieces of yourself in order to be loved and accepted."

3. There was constant yelling and screaming during arguments, making you fearful of disagreements or hardships.

If you grew up in a home where arguments always led to screaming and yelling, chances are you're not a fan of loud voices or hard moments. Honestly, Slavens says it's not hard to believe that "conflict make you anxious, even when it’s minor." Unsurprisingly, you may have become a referee during these arguments and currently find yourself being a mediator in your platonic or romantic relationships. Why?

Dr. Miller says, "You constantly feel the need to manage everyone else’s emotions often at the cost of your own needs and wellbeing." You know, to keep the peace.

Here are some more obvious signs you grew up in a dysfunctional family

4. You had to take on a parental role when one of your parents decided to stop being an adult.

I imagine that having an emotionally immature parent is one of the most aggravating and stressful things to deal with. Not only that, but you may have had to help keep the household afloat. You may have had to get a job or two to help pay bills, listening to an adult conversation as your mom or dad laid their problems at your young feet, and more!

If you "family roles were flipped" and you "maybe had to parent your own parents," Slavens says this is a form of emotional dysfunction.

5. You weren't allowed to go anywhere with your friends because your parents wanted to keep an eye on you at all times.

Slavens says boundaries that "didn't exist" or "were rigid and controlling" is a sign your home was a little...interesting. Being concerned about your whereabouts is one thing, but it's another when you're unable to do anything without your parents' eagle-eyes on you. Something as simple as going to the mall with your friends may have become a lecture about the dangers of shoplifting or car wrecks. Again, these are valid concerns but they shouldn't be treated like the verbal form of doom scrolling.

6. You consistently witnessed one of your parents abuse alcohol or drugs at home.

This is a tough because substance abuse is so prevalent in varies socioeconomic statuses and communities. From the functioning alcoholic to the one who becomes belligerent after they've had too much to drink, it always affects those around them. Slavens says if "there was ongoing neglect, substance abuse, or verbal/physical aggression," your home probably didn't safe.

I recognize some of these signs of a dysfunctional family. But that doesn't mean they're affecting my current relationships, right?

I hate to break it to you, but it's possible your childhood wounds have shown up before. "Dysfunctional dynamics don’t stay in childhood — they tend to creep into how you connect with others," says Slavens. Similarly, Dr. Miller agrees that "we typically repeat what we learned at home with our families in our other relationships." How?

"This includes the beliefs and rules we follow, often completely subconsciously, about what can and can’t talk about and why, as well as what emotions are allowed to be expressed, who can express them and how, and how we should or must respond to those people and their emotions," explains Dr. Miller.

Another way to look at this is how Slavens has outlined it:

In Platonic Relationships:

1. Overextending yourself to please others, even at your own expense
2. Feeling like you have to "earn your friends' affections.
3. Avoiding vulnerability because it feels unsafe.

In Romantic Relationships:

1. Struggling to trust your partner or feeling overly suspicious
2. Repeating patterns like dating people who are emotionally unavailable or controlling.
3. Feeling overly responsible for your partner's happiness — or relying on them for yours.

OMG! How do I unlearn habits from my dysfunctional family?

Honestly, everyone has a few bad habits they've carried from their childhood to adulthood. You're not an outlier because some things weren't 100% normal so I don't want you to feel like you're a failure for not having having it all together. "Dysfunction doesn’t have to define your future relationships," Slavens assures. Dr. Miller says you can start to unlearn things "that aren't working for you anymore" by "gathering your family's larger context to gain insight into how and why, for them, the behaviors make sense."

By taking a look at your family's "history and larger social and political contexts" gives you a chance to "see them as whole people with full lives," she says. Once you do that, she believes "you can examine what pieces make sense for you to keep and what parts you'd like to learn to do differently." Her other suggestion? Don't forget you're ability to utilize a "therapist who works systemically, like an LMFT" who "can be a huge support in this process."

Slavens' tips include the following:

1. Practice self-awareness: Notice when a response feels automatic — like people-pleasing or shutting down during conflict — and ask yourself, Is this helping me, or is this a leftover habit from the past?
2. Set boundaries: If your childhood lacked healthy boundaries, learning to say “no” without guilt is a game-changer. Boundaries protect your energy and teach others how to treat you.
3. Learn healthy conflict skills: If conflict made you feel unsafe growing up, it’s natural to avoid it. But healthy conflict is necessary in relationships. Practice expressing your needs calmly and directly.
4. Therapy, therapy, therapy: A good therapist can help untangle the messy, “weird” things that got normalized and give you tools to rebuild healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.
5. Surround yourself with healthier models: Whether it’s friends, mentors, or books/podcasts, seek examples of functional relationships and start observing what feels different.

While you're busy unlearning things, Dr. Miller also wants you to remember something. "Recognize that how your family does something is simply that; how your particular family system figured out and were taught to navigate the world. It isn’t inherently right because you’ve normalized it nor is the way another person or family does it inherently wrong," she says.

1. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl — On Netflix January 3, 2025

Wallace and Gromit are back! Thank goodness, because there's no other way I would want to start a brand new year. This January movie sees Wallace's new "smart" gnome become way too smart — and a dangerous certain someone might be behind everything. Now Gromit has to battle the most sinister of forces to save the day.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl premieres January 3 and stars Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith, Diane Morgan, Adjoa Andoh, Muzz Khan, and Lenny Henry.

2. Better Man — In Theaters January 10, 2025

This new movie is based on the true story of British popstar Robbie Williams. While examining his rise to fame and his time with boyband Take That, the movie also dives into the highs and lows of fame...all while presenting as a monkey. I'm going to be honest, this movie really confuses me. It's definitely a creative and unique concept, which I've been craving more of, but I'll have to see this movie before I can figure out how I feel!

Better Man premieres January 10 and stars Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman, Kate Mulvaney, Frazer Hadfield, Tom Budge, and Anthony Hayes.

3. The Last Showgirl — In Theaters January 10, 2025

Pamela Anderson stars as Shelly, a showgirl who has to figure out what the rest of her life looks like when her show suddenly closes after 30 years. With an incredible cast, a award-worthy performance from Pamela, and music by Miley Cyrus, this is one January movie I literally can't stop thinking about.

The Last Showgirl premieres January 10 and stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd.

4. Wolf Man — In Theaters January 17, 2025

Scary movie fans rejoice! Wolf Man is exactly the kind of movie that'll send shivers down your spine, unrelated to the winter weather. When Blake (Christopher Abbott), Charlotte (Julia Garner), and their daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) come across a dangerous and mysterious animal, they barricade themselves inside a farmhouse to stay safe. Unfortunately, Blake begins a strange transformation of his own — and puts Charlotte and Ginger in a whole new kind of danger.

Wolf Man premieres January 17 and stars Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner and Sam Jaeger, Matilda Firth, Benedict Hardie, Ben Prendergast, Zac Chandler, Beatriz Romilly, and Milo Cawthorne.

5. Paddington in Peru — In Theaters January 17, 2025

If you're already dreaming about a summer vacation, you're not alone — even Paddington Bear is headed somewhere warm! In Paddington in Peru, our favorite cuddly teddy is on a quest to find Aunt Lucy...and brings the whole family along for the ride.

Paddington in Peru premieres January 17 and stars Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Carla Tous, Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, and Madeleine Harris.

6. One of Them Days — In Theaters January 24, 2025

Keke Palmer and SZA are reviving the BFF comedy in 2025 and I am MORE THAN READY. When Dreux and Alyssa learn Alyssa's BF has spent their rent money, they have to go on a totally unexpected adventure to keep themselves from getting evicted.

One of Them Days premieres January 24 and stars Keke Palmer, SZA, Maude Apatow, and Janelle James.

7. Flight Risk — In Theaters January 24, 2025

In this new January movie, Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery stars as a U.S. Marshall who must bring a witness to court and deal with the fact the pilot's really a hitman. (I can't help but wonder what Lady Mary would do in this scenario).

Flight Risk premieres January 24 and stars Michelle Dockery, Mark Walberg, and Topher Grace.

8. Inheritance — In Theaters January 24, 2025

Maya's life turns upside down when she learns her father used to be a spy...and then finds herself in the middle of an international conspiracy. No big deal!! Now Maya must evade dangerous hunters and stay alive long enough to find the answers to her questions.

Inheritance premieres January 24 and stars Phoebe Dynevor and Rhys Ifans.

Reese Witherspoon and Will Ferrell are starting 2025 with a bang! This hilarious R-rated rom-com follows Reese's character as she plans her sister's destination wedding...then realizes the venue has double booked them with Will Ferrell, a father who's determined that his daughter's (Geraldine Viswanathan) wedding go perfectly. When I say chaos ensues, I'm talking alligator wrestling, a zebra knocking over the cake, and strippers.

You're Cordially Invited premieres January 30 and stars Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Geraldine Viswanathan, Meredith Hagner, Jimmy Tatro, Stony Blyden, Leanne Morgan, Rory Scovel, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Ramona Young, Jack McBrayer, and Celia Weston.

10. Valiant One — In Theaters January 31, 2025

When a captain and his unit get trapped behind enemy lines — and their equipment goes out — they have to band together and figure out how to get to safety. This January movie has some familiar faces like Chase Stokes and Lana Condor, and it'll keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Valiant One premieres January 31 and stars Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Desmin Borges, Callan Mulvey, Jonathan Whitesell, and Daniel Jun.

11. Mickey 17 — In Theaters January 31, 2025

Mickey Barnes goes on countless life-ending missions after he signs up to be an Expendable. On his quest to colonize the ice world of Niflheim, he's cloned countless times — but, shockingly, nothing really goes wrong until two Mickeys wind up surviving at the same time.

Mickey 17 premieres January 31 and stars Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo.