Social support is one of the keys to a happy life. Numerous studies have shown that when you surround yourself with loving people who genuinely care about your wellbeing, you experience greater levels of fulfillment, measurably more confidence, and the ability to overcome more challenges.
Yet there are times when, no matter how much you may love someone, you have to let them go.
When it’s Time to Make a Change
You’re going to find, when you’re evaluating your life, that there are those that do not bring out the best of you. You’re going to find that there are people in your life that:
- Bring You Down – They may tell you that you can’t do things, or act as if you are destined for failure. They are not supporting you in your goals and dreams.
- Make You Feel Negative – They may complain all the time, or rarely say anything positive in a way that can rub off on you. They are not bringing happiness in your life.
- Hold You Back – They may need you so much and so often in ways that make it difficult to focus on yourself.
These individuals may be your closest friends – maybe even your family.
But there comes a time in your quest for creating a better life for yourself, that you have to sit down and genuinely evaluate the role that each and every individual plays in your life. You may find out that, in some cases – no matter how much you may love them – that they aren’t bringing you what you need for you to move forward.
And when that happens, you may need to let them go.
You Control Who is in Your Life
You should always be a good person, and be kind and loving to those that are in your life. But it’s not selfish to expect some of that back. Who you bring into your life is your choice, and you want those that are close to you to be people who are there to make your life better – those that are going to bring you happiness, laughter, positivity, energy, and more, and those that will support you when you need it most.
If you’re looking to get more happiness out of your life, and you don’t feel like your life is where you want it to be, then you may need to re-evaluate not just what your choices are and what you’re currently doing to make changes, but also who you have in your life, and whether they are offering you that happiness, positivity, and support.
What Happens If They’re Not?
If you find that someone close to you isn’t bringing you that support, you don’t have to be mean. You don’t have to stop loving them. But it may be time to separate yourself from them and that situation. It may be someone at work, or someone you’re friends with. It may even be a family member that hasn’t been a positive influence or supported you through your process.
You can still be there for that person, and you are still free to love them. But you may need to love that person from a distance, and make sure that the people you choose to surround yourself with are the ones bringing the most value.
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