When Success Costs Friendships: Baddies Confess Cutting Ties Over Big Accomplishments

In a world increasingly driven by social media updates, luxurious lifestyles, and measurable achievements, friendships—once considered lifelong bonds—are now being tested in unprecedented ways. Across platforms like X.com and Instagram, stories are emerging of people deliberately distancing themselves from close friends simply because their accomplishments made them uncomfortable. These confessions, sometimes raw and unfiltered, reveal a complex mix of jealousy, insecurity, and personal growth.

Big Lindsts, an influencer known as @creamyn, recently shared a story that resonated with thousands online. “Lol. Removed this babe as my friend on Snap and ultimately from streaking me. Moved to Canada, in less than 6 months, she don tear car, partying, awesome friends, every week there’s a SHEIN order she’s unpacking. Never been so jealous in my life g9ia,” they wrote. In just a few lines, the post captures a powerful emotional truth: seeing someone close thrive can sometimes hurt more than it inspires. The post quickly garnered attention, drawing thousands of comments from users who admitted to similar experiences of quietly cutting ties with friends whose success they could no longer tolerate.

It isn’t just casual influencers who are experiencing this phenomenon. Mama Girls, a lifestyle account that shares commentary on women’s experiences, tweeted, “I deleted my childhood friend’s number today because I didn’t want to see her WhatsApp status anymore. She seems to be doing well for herself, a stable business, a healthy relationship basically everything.” With over 63,000 views in less than a day, the tweet resonated with a broad audience. It highlights a familiar dilemma: watching someone you grew up with achieve personal milestones—be it a thriving career, a loving relationship, or financial stability—can trigger feelings of inadequacy and resentment.

Psychologists note that this isn’t necessarily about the friends themselves, but about the emotional triggers their success awakens. Dr. Funke Adeyemi, a relationship therapist in Lagos, explains, “Friendship dynamics are complicated. When one friend experiences rapid success, it can highlight insecurities in the other. Instead of working through these feelings, some individuals choose to remove themselves from the situation entirely. It’s a coping mechanism, not necessarily a moral failing.” This coping mechanism often plays out subtly. Many of these social media confessions involve deleting numbers, unfollowing accounts, or avoiding personal interactions that might trigger envy or self-doubt.

Social media amplifies this dynamic. Where once friends only saw each other during school or weekends, today they have 24/7 access to each other’s lives online. Every vacation post, new car, or career milestone is visible in real-time. According to a survey conducted by the Lagos Digital Wellness Initiative, 68% of respondents admitted that seeing friends’ achievements online sometimes made them feel jealous or anxious. Nearly half said they had considered unfollowing or muting friends to protect their mental health. This context sheds light on why so many confessions like those of Big Lindsts and Mama Girls are emerging: social media doesn’t just display success—it magnifies its emotional impact.

There’s also an unspoken gender dimension in some of these stories. Many of the confessions on X.com and other platforms come from women discussing other women’s accomplishments. Some experts suggest that societal pressures around appearance, financial independence, and relationship success can make comparisons particularly intense. “Women are often socialized to measure themselves against peers,” says Dr. Adeyemi. “When a friend excels in multiple areas—career, social life, personal relationships—it can inadvertently trigger feelings of inadequacy. The easiest solution for some is to step away.”

Yet these decisions to cut ties are not always permanent. Some former friends eventually reconnect once the initial emotional intensity fades. Social psychologist Dr. Emmanuel Oke explains that human emotions are cyclical, and jealousy or discomfort often diminishes when self-reflection or personal growth occurs. “Many friendships dissolve temporarily because of imbalance, but that doesn’t mean they can’t return in a healthier form. The key is understanding why distance was created and addressing it openly if the relationship is to resume.”

Interestingly, the confessions reveal a candid honesty rarely seen offline. Online anonymity provides a space for people to admit feelings they might otherwise suppress. Some users describe guilt and shame alongside their actions. One comment under Big Lindsts’ post read: “I removed my best friend last year because she was moving faster than me in life. I felt bad, but I couldn’t cope with the comparison.” Others express relief, noting that distancing themselves allowed them to focus on their own goals without constant emotional friction.

For many, this phenomenon also intersects with self-improvement and ambition. Some individuals consciously create distance to avoid the distraction of comparison and to preserve their mental health. While it might seem counterintuitive to lose friends over success, experts suggest it can sometimes be a necessary step for personal growth. “It’s a delicate balance,” Dr. Oke notes. “You don’t want to isolate yourself, but you also need to acknowledge your limits in processing certain emotions. Distancing can be temporary or permanent, but ideally, it’s accompanied by introspection.”

Social media platforms are now documenting these experiences in real-time, creating a digital archive of evolving friendship dynamics. Confessions like those of Big Lindsts and Mama Girls are relatable because they capture something universal: the tension between personal success and collective support. Historically, friends were expected to celebrate one another unconditionally. Today, the digital age exposes a more nuanced reality—friendship can be tested by ambition, visibility, and comparison.

For younger generations navigating social media and personal ambition, these stories offer cautionary tales. They highlight the importance of self-awareness, communication, and emotional regulation. Deleting a friend’s number or unfollowing them online might provide immediate relief, but it also carries long-term consequences for social support networks. As Dr. Adeyemi advises, “Before taking drastic steps, consider why you feel the way you do. Sometimes, acknowledging jealousy, reflecting on personal goals, or discussing your feelings with the friend can strengthen the relationship rather than end it.”

Ultimately, the confessions reveal an uncomfortable truth: success can be both inspiring and isolating. Celebrating friends’ achievements requires emotional maturity, empathy, and sometimes, the courage to confront our own insecurities. For those navigating friendships in an era dominated by visibility and comparison, the challenge is clear—balancing admiration, envy, and support is a delicate art, and one that many are still learning.

As stories like these continue to circulate online, they offer not just entertainment but insight into modern relationships. Friends are no longer just companions in leisure—they are mirrors reflecting our ambitions, fears, and aspirations. And in that reflection, some discover that distance, even from the closest friends, becomes an unexpected path to self-discovery.

Whether these confessions mark temporary lapses or permanent shifts in friendship, they underscore the evolving nature of social bonds in the 21st century. For now, readers can scroll, like, and share, while quietly reflecting on their own friendships, successes, and the moments when admiration and envy collide.