If you live your life according to inspirational quotes on Pinterest, you probably think that putting up with negative people is toxic to your well-being. But isn't that a pretty, um, negative way of looking at them?
Let's face it: overly upbeat people can be just as bad as a Debbie Downer, and there are some great reasons to keep those who see the glass half-empty (or worse) in your life to keep things in check. Like the Sierra filter to your Instagram photo at the beach, negative people can actually make things better by making them a bit more morose.
1. They speak the truth.
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You can always count on your negative friend for some real talk. Sure, it may sting a little, but you know what's worse? Going through life ignorant of the truth because you don't have any a--hole friends.
2. They make you laugh.
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Curmudgeons are funny. Just look at this face that launched a thousand memes. Negative people make some of the best observational comedians and are often self-deprecating to boot. What's funnier than that?
3. Compared to them, you're the life of the party.
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If you're an extrovert who wants to appear to be even more outgoing than you already are, you can't go wrong with having a Negative Nancy on your squad for contrast. The grumpier she is, the more you'll seem like you're living it up by comparison.
4. They listen to better music
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Come on, you can only listen to Taylor Swift's "1989" so many times until your brain turns into cotton candy.
5. They put your happiness into perspective.
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When you hang out with negative people, you start to realize that the way you see the world might not be rosy 100 percent of the time, but at least it's not that bad. You start to value your positive attitude and might even try to encourage your negative friend to see the light (just don't try TOO hard).
6. They keep you on your toes.
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People like Triumph The Insult Comic Dog, the ones who see (hilarious) flaws in everything, are necessary for making sure our egos don't get too big. Also, when you're out with a group and a situation arises when "someone should say something"? Yeah, don't worry, they will.
7. After talking to them, there's only one place to go and that's up.
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Like a palate cleanser, your negative friend will reset your mood so that no matter who you talk to next, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how pleasant they are. Thank you, Pessimistic Peter, Gloomy Glen and all the other alliterated names we couldn't think of, and sorry about trying to get rid of you all the time.
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