Cut TOXIC people OUT

I recently went to visit an old school acquaintance from my hometown, after spending a few days with them I became particularly angry! Why is this? Well, this acquaintance kept asking me questions about my life, certain achievements I made and then would nullify them or compare them to her own life. I noticed this after she asked me if I could speak a language we once shared a fondness of; to which I replied yes a little, as I had spent some time in the country and was able to pick it up.

"Well I'm pretty sure that if I stayed in a country for a bit then I'd be able to speak that language too" she quipped. Hmm....well I could clearly understand what was going on here but decided not to say anything.

After keeping note of other unnecessary statements, comparisons and behaviours that kept screaming 'insecurity' and 'I'm trying to compete with you' it sent me into an internal angry whirlwind. I was extremely frustrated about this situation which wasn't foreign to me but I decided to get invested in it emotionally, this time.

In a circumstance like this after noting this kind of jealousy, insecurity and competitive nature in someone you class a 'friend'; I decide to cut them out of my life. Friends are those who support you, who are happy for you, they encourage you and want to see you far ahead in life. Friendship is not one sided and if you are a cheerleader to a friend but they never return the positive vibes, then they are an energy vampire and not a friend.

As soon as a 'friend', 'acquaintance', colleague or family member acts in this manner, they have just downgraded themselves to a toxic person who no longer needs to be in your presence. If someone can project their insecurities onto you to the point where it affects you emotionally then it has come to the point of severing ties.

Your emotional and mental health has a direct effect on your body and gut; so if you are feeling stressed or angry this will in turn impact you negatively. Interacting with people means sharing bacteria with them whether you like it or not. So if you are around people who are always negative, finding fault in everything or are insecure within themselves, they will exhibit certain types of gut bacteria which you will inevitably be exposed to. It works in the same manner when surrounding yourself with positive people.

So be mindful when reconnecting with old acquaintances or even connecting with new people. There are many people in the world who do not feel like they are enough and are operating from a place of ego; maybe this is just who they are for now, however you don't need to stick around to find out!

Cut them out of your life, keep loving yourself and surround yourself with positive, supportive people who are worthy of carrying the title 'friend'.