Not everyone deserves a second chance.

Some people bring nothing but stress, negativity, or even harm into our lives.

While it’s natural to want to forgive and move on, psychology tells us that letting certain people back in can do more damage than good.

The truth is, the company we keep has a huge impact on our well-being.

Surrounding ourselves with the right people helps us grow, while the wrong ones hold us back.

So how do we know who to keep at a distance?

Here are seven types of people you should never let back into your life—according to psychology:

1) Toxic manipulators

Some people don’t change—they just get better at hiding who they really are.

Manipulative people know how to twist situations to their advantage, making you feel guilty, confused, or even responsible for their actions.

They thrive on control and will use gaslighting, guilt-tripping, or passive-aggressive behavior to get what they want; they flip the script so that you’re always the one apologizing, even when they’re the ones in the wrong.

If someone like this was in your life before and caused you pain, don’t give them another opportunity to do it again.

You deserve relationships built on honesty and respect—not mind games.

2) Chronic liars

I once had a friend who lied about everything—big things, small things, even things that didn’t seem to matter.

At first, I brushed it off, thinking maybe they just wanted to make their life sound more interesting.

But over time, I realized their lies weren’t just harmless exaggerations.

They were calculated, meant to manipulate situations and avoid responsibility.

The worst part? Every time I caught them in a lie, they’d either deny it or act like I was overreacting.

It made me question my own judgment and even doubt my own reality.

Letting someone like this back into your life only leads to more broken trust and disappointment.

If honesty isn’t part of the foundation, the relationship will never be solid.

3) Emotional leeches

Some people don’t want support—they want someone to drain.

I used to have a friend who only came to me when they needed something.

Every conversation revolved around their problems, their struggles, their drama.

I was happy to be there for them at first, but over time, I noticed something: they never asked how I was doing.

They never showed up when I needed support.

I convinced myself they just needed extra help, that maybe they’d return the favor one day—but they never did.

The relationship was completely one-sided, and every time I interacted with them, I felt exhausted.

Psychologist Carl Jung once said: “The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.”

The hard truth is that people like this often refuse to take responsibility for their own happiness.

Instead, they latch onto others, expecting them to carry the weight of their emotions.

4) The relentlessly negative

We all go through tough times, and everyone complains now and then.

But some people seem to live in a constant state of negativity—always bitter, always finding something to criticize, always assuming the worst.

I once worked with someone like this.

No matter what happened, they had something negative to say.

If it was a sunny day, it was “too hot;” if they got a promotion, it was “more work for the same pay.”

Being around them felt like carrying a bag of bricks—it just weighed me down.

You don’t have to cut people off just because they’re struggling.

However, if someone refuses to see anything good in life and constantly drags you down with them, it might be time to walk away—for your own peace of mind.

5) The ones who only praise you

It sounds strange, right? Why would you walk away from someone who always lifts you up?

But here’s the thing: Constant, uncritical praise isn’t always a good thing.

I once had someone in my life who agreed with everything I said, supported every decision I made, and never challenged me, even when I was clearly making bad choices.

At first, it felt nice but, over time, I realized something: Real friends don’t just tell you what you want to hear—they tell you what you need to hear.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow once said: “Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”

Growth doesn’t happen when we’re surrounded by people who only validate us.

It happens when we have people in our lives who push us, challenge us, and help us see our blind spots.

If someone truly cares about you, they won’t just be your cheerleader—they’ll also be honest with you.

And if they’re not? You might be stuck in an echo chamber instead of a real relationship.

6) The perpetually jealous

Real friends celebrate your wins, while fake friends feel threatened by them.

I once had someone in my life who could never be happy for me.

Every time something good happened—whether it was a new opportunity, a personal achievement, or even just a small success—they’d find a way to downplay it.

“Must be nice,” they’d say with a forced smile or, worse, they’d suddenly start competing, trying to prove they were doing better than me.

I ignored it until I realized their jealousy wasn’t just about them—it was affecting me.

I started downplaying my own success, feeling guilty for things I had worked hard for.

Psychologist Alfred Adler once said: “The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.”

We all feel envy sometimes—it’s human.

The difference between a healthy person and a toxic one is what they do with that feeling.

Healthy people turn envy into inspiration; toxic people turn it into resentment.

The right people will cheer you on, not compete with you.

7) Those who broke you and never apologized

Not everyone who hurts you deserves another chance.

I used to believe that time alone could heal wounds, that if enough days passed, the pain would fade and things could go back to normal.

I learned the hard way: Healing is about recognizing who belongs in your life and who doesn’t.

Someone who hurt you deeply and never took responsibility for it isn’t someone who’s changed.

They’re just someone who expects you to move on without an apology.

Real remorse comes with accountability, not just empty words or avoidance.

If someone refuses to acknowledge the damage they caused, what’s stopping them from doing it again?

Forgiveness is for you—not for them—but forgiving someone doesn’t mean you have to let them back in.

Some doors are better left closed!