Starting Fresh in 2020: Eliminating Toxic People from Your Life
The new year is always viewed as a fresh start: a great time to hit the gym, eat healthier, work on your relationships and eliminate any bad habits. Bad habits can include negative people you might be surrounded by. Friends, acquaintances, significant others, coworkers and even relatives can all be culprits. The process of eliminating these negative people can be intense, heartbreaking and stressful, but it's ultimately worth it and very freeing.
The first exammost do notple of someone to wave goodbye to is the classic Debbie Downer. Anyone who finds negativity in any news you're reporting is not worth your time. This is the person who points out that your ring is small when you've just gotten engaged or that your should be wary of that new job you just landed. They are never interested in what is best for you and their toxic energy can suck your positive energy.
Gaslighters are another horrific type of character to watch out for. A gaslighter makes his or her victim feel like they are crazy and it's a serious form of emotional abuse. They work to turn your friends against you and always paint themselves and everyone but you as the victim.
Another famously cringeworthy dark cloud is the dysfunctional family member. This could be the aunt who continues to battle her addiction yet refuses to get help, the cousin who uses you or the brother who engages in reckless behavior. Remember that you can't fix them or their behavior, so make it clear that you will support them only once they get the help they need.
The friend you have outgrown can be the most painful type of relationship to cut out. Some rare friendships last forever, but the reality is that most do not. Friends come in to our lives for a reason during certain stages when we may need them, and we shed them when the relationship no longer makes sense. Anyone who is negative, brings you down, only calls you when they need something, or only talks about themselves is not someone you need to keep around.
Have you ever tried to break up with someone and they just won't take no for an answer? The deadbeat boyfriend is another classic relationship that can be tough to shed. Do not accept promises of change from the person with the criminal record, history or lying and/or cheating, money issues or illegal activity.
Change is difficult and it will take time to cut ties with these people, but you'll feel a weight lifted when you do. Go into 2020 with a newer, fresher outlook and build better, healthier relationships.