In all of our lives in one way or another we’ve shifted friend groups. Maybe lost a few here and there, and probably walked away from harmful people. A friend is someone who you can mutually share concern and respect for. Someone you can trust, and can trust you back. Putting up with those who blatantly or discreetly disrespect you has no long-term gain. Odds are, those who disrespect you now will continue to treat you in a way that is less than you deserve. By continuing to entertain these kinds of harmful relationships, you are lowering your standards as well as setting yourself up for immense disappointment. This goes for anyone in any kind of relationship.

“Hanging out” with friends is a good experience most of us have, but often times when your friends are not challenging you in any way, these relationships can begin to feel meaningless. By this, I mean in the sense that these individuals don’t feel the need to expand on their way of thinking or imaginative thought at all. These kinds of relationships, over time, feel like running in a circle. Nothing changes and nothing progresses. This may not necessarily be a negative thing, but when these relationships are negatively charged, this cycle can become extremely damaging.

It’s important to surround yourself with people who know your worth & value you for who you truly are. Relationships become very dangerous when those who you spend your time around have seemingly forgotten the value in your friendship. When this occurs, a lot of times relationships can begin to turn sour. I’m not saying that growing apart isn’t something that naturally happens to many of us, it certainly does. What I am saying instead, though, is that in these instances where you are facing some form of harm or abuse from those who should be first to protect you; there needs to be a conscious decision to move away from such individuals. In order to be happy with the people you surround yourself with, you must ensure that you are not simply putting up with someone just for the sake of the friendship. Sometimes it’s more important to be able to determine which relationships are better off ending, rather than trying to salvage something that is harmful to you.

I personally do not see much value in spending time around people who I don’t consistently feel safe with or respected by. In my opinion, the same also applies to those who never really try to add to or question the world around them. There isn’t much to gain from having a surface conversation for the entirety of the relationship. There is obvious value in conversation that is generally one dimensional and surface level, especially while getting to know a person. It is very troubling, though, when this is the furthest the conversations extend to in an ongoing relationship. Over time, it feels that these relationships never really get to a deeper level of understanding or care for the those who have invested time into them. It is so incredibly important that we consciously surround ourselves with friends and family that support and love us for who we are. If the conversations never delve any deeper than surface level, it becomes hard to determine whether or not those whom you surround yourself with truly know you. There is no value in a relationship where mutual respect is absent.

It is a very hard concept to accept when it comes to leaving a relationship of any kind. Especially in cases when these connections have been previously long-lasting. The reality of these instances, though, has to do with whether or not you will continue to accept mistreatment and a general disregard for your individual worth. There are people out there who really will appreciate and care for you. Those who don’t recognize your worth when you’re right in front of them, either never will, or once you’ve decided to take better care of yourself after it’s too late. No relationship is worth the time and energy if you are consistently being put down and disrespected. Those you spend your time with should be people who make you feel comfortable and lift you up. You deserve better, don’t accept any less.