Is someone in your life constantly making you feel bad about yourself? Do they selfishly throw you under the bus, just to save their own face? Have they made you feel guilty about being nice? Do they manipulate you in order to get what they want? Are you tired of feeling unheard and what you have to say doesn't matter?
If you answered 'no' to most (or all), then congratulations--you surround yourself with the right people.
If you answered 'yes' to most (or all), then it's time to make some changes.
Having toxic people in your life is never fun. They rain on your parade and make you feel that your worth is nothing compared to them, or anyone else. Even if you're a naturally happy person, their toxicity can rub off on you. But, of course, how do you know if they're even toxic at all?
I like to think that I'm a pretty positive person, for the most part. I try to avoid feeling like all hope is lost and honestly, as if the sky if falling. But, I do have my moments--I will admit that.
There's a certain chain-reaction into thinking negatively on a situation. If you think bad going into it, it will probably be that way.
I really can't think like that. Or even, be around that.
I usually have a gut-feeling about people a few times after I meet them. If I get the feeling that they're a shady person and later realize that they are, then learn to somehow tolerate them--it's not a good sign.
Why do I tolerate them? Because I've seen different sides of them and know they can be a good person.
I've always used this term when it comes to relationships, "People can change, but they're consistent." But, it can be applicable to other things.
If you know someone has good sides to them, awesome. But, don't forget about the other side. If you sort of have someone figured out and your gut tells you to be wary, trust it and listen to it! It would be great to trust in humanity and good intentions are always there, but it doesn't always work out that way. Sometimes, they have a hidden agenda and most of the time, it's to save their own behind.
But, if you do trust in humanity and find yourself being burned--don't fret. I always find comfort in knowing that at the end of the day, I thought I did the right thing, was a nice person in the process, and even though I may have cried for being so stupid--I was just trying to be a good person and thought the other person would do the same.
It's okay to be wrong about people and realize a little later that they're not doing anything good for you besides putting you down and making you feel so terrible about yourself. We don't get the luxury of knowing we're about to make a bad decision, but we can always learn from them and redeem ourselves.
Cut the toxic people out of your life, or at least, keep a good distance away from them.
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -Mark Twain
