In life, some people are only meant to be in the picture for a short period of time. As humans, we are constantly growing and changing — and there is nothing wrong with this; it’s simply the way things are meant to be. However, as sad as it may be, not everyone grows at the same pace we do. We can outgrow our closest friends within a matter of a year and have to take comfort in knowing that we as individuals are progressing at just the right speed.

There are also those people we surround ourselves with who are not the best for us. For whatever reasons, we have convinced ourselves that we need them in our lives — no matter how much damage they have caused.

With the new year upon us, it is important to take a closer look at whom we surround ourselves and ask one difficult question — who belongs and who doesn’t? Here are a few examples of toxic people that don’t need to be in your life this new year.

The “I need you” people

These people are very fun to deal with; they are only friends with you when they need something. Whether it’s a date for Friday night or the answers to tomorrow’s homework, you suddenly pop up in their mind when they are in need.

Sometimes this is flattering — maybe you’re the go-to friend for advice. However, as soon as this becomes a one-sided relationship, then it’s time to split. You find yourself in need of help, you ask this individual since you so generously helped them in the past — and they are nowhere to be found.

These people don’t deserve a place in your life. They simply drain your energy and make you more miserable than necessary.

The stressful ones

Stress in life can be good. Lots of people work well under stress — sometimes they thrive. However, when it comes to people, stress is in no way a positive thing.

If people cause you nothing but stress, then it’s time to split. Once you find yourself tiptoeing around this individual, you know it’s not a healthy relationship.

The disrespectful ones

In life, you go through many different experiences and relationships that shape you as a person. They show you who you are and specifically, what you deserve.

Dealing with people who have treated you badly lets you see that you deserve to be respected, especially if you give so much respect in return. If someone in your life isn’t respecting you the way you’d like, then it’s time to call it quits.

The hurtful ones

When people hurt us, it shows that we have somewhat of a strong bond with them. If their actions can deeply affect us, they must hold a great deal of importance to us. This is part of the reason we continue to keep these people in our lives.

But in this new year, if you find there are people in your lives who cause you more pain than not, it may be time to cut the cord. Know that just because you are close and have a strong bond with someone, it does not give them a reason to hurt you.

The backstabbers

 Everyone has had these friends; you think they are your best friend and then come to find out, they have been doing nothing but talking trash about you.

You don’t hang out with them enough, they don’t like the person you’re dating, they don’t like your outfit — whatever the immature reason, these people feel the need to tell everyone but you how they feel.

These are some of the most toxic people you deal with during your lifetime, and they deserve no place in your circle. Don’t make time for people who don’t respect you enough to tell you to your face how it is — or at least keep their unwanted opinions to themselves.

The party poopers

You have spent so much time working on yourself, bettering yourself and you are very proud of how far you’ve come. However, there are always those in our lives, who for some reason, don’t want to see you improve. These people try to drag you back into your old lifestyle.

These people are not for you. Don’t put up with people who try to make you a bad person and don’t wish to see you succeed.

The stagnant ones

These are similar to the party poopers — they don’t know how to progress in life and want to take you down with them. You should be constantly changing, learning about yourself and growing. Like previously stated, this is a good thing; change and growing are good and help you truly become the person you are meant to me.

However, there are many people who don’t want to grow and don’t want to see others do that as well. When you are growing, they see it as you betraying them and changing.

Yes, it is very important to think about others, but if you are bettering yourself and your friends can’t support that, then they aren’t people you want in your life.

The space fillers

It is a very difficult realization that a high percentage of the people you surround yourselves with don’t belong in your life. If you haven’t learned already, you soon will learn that you have no obligation to stay friends with people. It is your life and you are allowed to have as many or as few friends as you see fit.

However, it becomes difficult to properly maintain a large amount of friendships. This is when you have to identify who is a priority, and who is simply taking up undeserved space and energy.

Ending friendships is a very difficult thing to do. You can feel like you are giving up and you are the source of the problem. However, it’s important to step back and remind yourself of what you deserve. If, when looking at your relationships, you find they don’t live up to your standards, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and what you deserve.

Caitlin Grove

Via alestlelive.com