Say goodbye to the ones in your life that weigh you down. You know who I’m talking about. The “friends” that couldn’t care less about what you’re doing in life if it has nothing to do with them. The ones that “joke” around but are constantly making you feel bad about yourself. Or the ones that make bad decisions and guilt trip you for not following along. These people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, friends, family, co-workers, boyfriends, girlfriends, etc. These people are toxic, and this is your sign to remove them from your life. It’s okay, you’re better off without them, and here’s why…

We become the average of who we associate ourselves with. When we surround ourselves with like-minded, positive people, we are constantly becoming more of this. When we are surrounded by people who lack motivation or live in negativity, we also become this. The energy that we surround ourselves with is a crucial thing to control, and it is something that you have power over. So, don’t allow the energy around you to weigh you down, let it lift you up by keeping those who make you feel good, energized, inspired, and all things happy around you.

Often, we feel as if energy is a force that we have no say over. It’s science, it’s going to do its thing regardless of what we think. This is true, except we can manipulate it. Energy is not created nor destroyed however; it can be changed. Energy can be transferred, therefore allowing negative people to fill the room around you, are allowing that negativity to be transferred to you. The same goes when you fill a room with positive people. Think about it for a second, have you ever hung out with a friend that is always complaining, always feeling down, or always has to point out problems? How do you feel after spending a few hours with them? I can think of a few people I’ve hung out with like this. Their energy was transferred to me, leaving me exhausted and worn down after being with them for such a short time. Being around people that you love should not feel like a chore. It should feel like an experience, an uplifting, positive time that you crave more of when it’s over.

Toxic people lead to a toxic lifestyle. We often justify friendships and relationships with “that’s them, I’ll never be that way” or “we’ve known each other for so long, how am I supposed to let them go?”. The answer is simple…for your well-being. You aren’t responsible for giving others a good life. You’re responsible for giving YOURSELF a good life and you don’t need permission or validation to let someone go. Cut them off cold turkey, slowly distance yourself from them, have a talk about it, do it however you see fit but don’t feel guilty for doing so. You’re on this planet to live your best life. You can’t do that when you allow other people to weigh you down. For all you know, letting them go can open doors for you but it could also open doors for them too. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation or a shift to occur for a life to change.

Never feel guilty for protecting your heart, your energy, your well-being, or your happiness. We spend the first part of our lives being shielding by our parents, teachers, and elders but there comes a time when we are out there in the world on our own. No one is telling you who you can and cannot talk to. You must protect and guide yourself. No one shielding you from negativity. You must stand up for yourself, take charge, and feel okay with your decisions. It is okay to drop people and let go of people. Protect your energy because no one else will.