We’ve all heard the phrase “living your best life.” I think that it’s so important to discover the things that bring you joy and implement more of them in your life. As good as it is to implement more good elements, we don’t always consider taking out some aspects that are not adding anything positive to our lives. This might sound counterintuitive because we tend to believe that more elements lead to more happiness, but among the many things in our lives, some may be just taking up space and slowing us down. For example, there could be relationships with others that are weighing you down; I’ve been in this situation where I’ve felt drained by being around people who were not supporting me or being good friends to me.
It’s good to have structure and a routine. We like waking up and knowing what we’re going to do and who is a part of our everyday lives. But if you’re ever feeling any doubts about how people are treating you and making you feel, it’s a good time to rethink the role they play in your life. Negative energy—while it can grow so gradually to the point where you don’t even notice it—can take a toll on your mental and emotional health. Sometimes we don’t realize that our friends or significant others are not being there for us or treating us the way they should. It can be easy to make excuses for them because we want to keep the routine with these people who’ve been a part of our lives for so long. Letting go can be completely cutting off ties, or it can also be a gradual process of creating some space between you and these people to see if you feel any different for the better. I’m not saying that every relationship or friendship is perfect, but if you feel that you cannot work through those “down” moments and this relationship is weighing you down, it might be time to let it go.
So, while it’s great to treat yourself, go shopping, blast music in your car on a drive, travel, and pursue your dreams, living your best life also means making sure your relationships are positive ones and that you are surrounded by people who make you feel valued and loved.