“Damn, I would’ve never expected that from them.”

Your relationships with others can make or break you. Great friends help you fly sky-high, toxic people make you crash like German Wings flight 9525 into the French Alps. From painful experience, I know that just because you like someone or have a wild history together doesn’t mean they’re good for you. Yet, we often cling to these people for far too long because it’s hard to make the cut. We rationalize their behavior, fall for their apologies even if nothing changes, and let them get away with too many things. We don’t stop to ask whether they’re worth it in the first place.

“Life has taught me that you can’t control someone’s loyalty. No matter how good you are to them, doesn’t mean that they will treat you the same. No matter how much they mean to you, doesn’t mean that they will value you the same. Sometimes the people you love the most, turn out to be the people you can trust the least.”

— Trent Shelton

I cut people out of my life many times. It was never easy, but always worth it.

Usually, there are many small things. A comment that went a little too far, being late without apologizing, and treating you in a way that makes you feel icky. Don’t let them pile their shit too high.

Almost as bad as missing respect is missing appreciation.

I’m a giver. I love providing value to others and making them feel good. And I don’t expect anything in return.

But if you keep taking without ever saying as much as a thank you, the well dries up real quick.

Look, I know we all have bad days. Sometimes, people are not in the mood to cherish you. But if the pattern repeats, that’s a flag as red as a sunburned clown’s nose.

There’s zero space in my life for negativity.

I’m a sucker for lifting people up, but that load proved too heavy.

I have a very simple philosophy when it comes to effing things up.

Shit happens. We’re all human. I acknowledge my mistakes and apologize. If you do the same, I’m very happy to forgive, forget, and move on.

If you don’t? That’s your problem, not mine.

This doesn’t mean you should spin on your heels like a Prima Ballerina at the first signs. You’re a human, you can communicate. But if things don’t change, you must make a change.

When you let someone in your life, you must be prepared to say: “Damn, I would’ve never expected that from them.”

Time flows. People change. Sometimes, you need to move on.

Better times will come. Other people will fill the gap. Trust yourself.

from your broken hooman, 

with love, N.