There have been several times in my life I have felt drained, exhausted and chained to toxic relationships. It wasn't until I painfully watched close friends remain in toxic relationships that I decided enough was enough. There is no reason to stay friends or maintain relationships with anyone who fills your life with toxicity.

Think of it this way: you wouldn't knowingly live in a room of toxic mold that was harming you, so why would should your relationships be treated any differently? You deserve people in your life who make you feel good, accept you as you are, and support you through it all. Cutting toxic people from my life has been the greatest peace. Here are 5 signs you are in a toxic friendship/relationship and need to cut it out of your life.

1. They insult you constantly (jokes count).

If you have a friend who seems to throw mean side comments to you constantly. CUT THEM OUT! Having someone constantly tearing you down, even if it seems joke-life, will kill your self-esteem.

2. They use you.

If you have a friend who seems to only talk or hang out with you when they need something, get out! Asking for some notes here or there, or borrowing some money for Chipotle is a lot different than expecting constant services from you. You are worth more than someone who uses you.

3. They're absent when you need them.

Sometimes life gets the best of all of us. If you have a friend who never seems to care enough or have the time when you really need them, dump them. Everyone deserves someone to eat ice-cream and binge watch Netflix with when they're sad.

4. They lie to you.

If they always have made up excuses for why they weren't there or why they were tearing you down, say peace. Nothing is worst than a close friend saying they had a family dinner and seeing them out with mutual friends on Snapchat. Real friends are honest about being busy and don't make excuses.

5. They pressure you.

There is a difference between a friend pushing you a bit out of your comfort zone so you seek new opportunities and a friend who peer pressures you. If someone you surround yourself with is constantly pressuring you to do things you don't want to, big or small, they are not your friend.

You are amazing and you deserve to have amazing people around you. Stop allowing excuses to keep toxic people in your life. Love yourself by keeping an inner circle that supports and loves you. Cut out toxic people in 2018, we could all benefit from a little less clutter in our life.