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As I sat sipping my homemade spearmint tea, I had a revelation: friendship is like your closet. Some pieces are timeless staples that will never go out of style, while others—well, let’s just say, it’s time for a serious closet clean-out.

We all have those friends who are like the perfect little black dress—always there when you need them, effortlessly making you feel like your best self. But then, there are the ones who are more like that sequined crop top you bought on a whim and never wore. You hang on to them because maybe you’ll need them for some future occasion that never quite arrives.

So, what are the five friends we all need? And which ones should we be Marie Kondo-ing right out of our lives?

The Ride-or-Die Bestie

You know the one. She’s been around forever, knows all your secrets, and still loves you despite that embarrassing thing you did in 2008. She’s your brunch buddy, your plus-one to weddings, and the person who will bail you out of any awkward situation with just one text. Keep her forever. She’s your friendship soulmate.

The Straight-Talker

This friend will tell you when your outfit is a disaster or when your latest fling is a walking red flag. Sure, you don’t always want to hear it, but let’s face it, you need it. When you’re spiraling into bad decisions, she’s the one holding up the reality mirror and saying, “Girl, get a grip.” Definitely a keeper—just maybe avoid asking for her opinion when you’re emotionally fragile.

The Adventure Seeker

This is the friend who drags you out of your Netflix-induced coma and convinces you to go on spontaneous road trips or try that bizarre new restaurant serving grasshopper tacos. She’s your personal spark of excitement, keeping you from becoming a complete hermit. You need her energy in your life, even if she’s exhausting.

The Therapist Friend

We all have that friend who, honestly, should be charging us an hourly rate. They’re the listener, the advice-giver, the one who knows the difference between you just needing to vent and when you’re asking for a solution. Keep them close, and remember: this friendship is a two-way street, so make sure to ask them how they’re doing too!

The Work Friend

This friend is your office lifeline. Whether it’s complaining about Karen in accounting or sending memes during those painfully long meetings, they make work bearable. You might not hang out outside of work, but they’re essential to your daily sanity. Keep them in your corner as long as you’re both clocking in at the same place.

Now, for the friends who might need to be let go:

The Frenemy

She’s the one who always has a backhanded compliment at the ready. “Oh, you’re wearing that? You’re so brave!” It’s exhausting. Let’s be real, you wouldn’t wear those toxic jeans anymore, so why are you holding onto a toxic friendship? Time to donate.

The Flaky Friend

Every plan with her is a gamble. Will she show up, or will she cancel last minute with a cryptic “Sorry, something came up”? After the 57th no-show, it’s safe to say: her commitment is as unreliable as your Wi-Fi during a storm. It’s time to stop sending the invites and move on to friends who actually want to be there.

The Energy Vampire

We all have that friend who drains us. Every interaction is an emotional rollercoaster, and you leave feeling like you’ve run a marathon—except you’re not getting any fitter, just emotionally exhausted. If the thought of hanging out with her makes you want to nap, it might be time to snooze this friendship permanently.

In the end, friendship is like a curated collection. The pieces you choose to keep should make you feel fabulous, not frazzled. And the ones that no longer serve you? Donate, delete, and move on. After all, life is too short to wear (or deal with) anything that doesn’t bring you joy.

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