There are a couple things I've learned in the past few years

1. Be kind to people, everyone is going through something

2. Lululemon can (and if you're in college, will be) worn to nearly any event or occasion.

And finally, you are not obligated to stay in toxic friendships.

I've gone to a lot of schools. I've been on a lot of sports teams and I've gone to summer camp for a lot of years.

Needless to say, I've made many friendships.

As times gone on, I've grown apart from most of those people. I've made and lost friends in my life, which is normal.

What I learned from those lost friendships, is that there are a lot of bad friends out there.

There are people that as soon as you're down, they'll do anything to keep you there.

There are friends that will sleep with the person you're in a relationship with just because they're there and you're not.

There are friends that will do anything in their power to be 'better' than you. They'll fight for better grades, to be skinnier, to get more guys.

I used to think this was normal. I thought friends should just turn on you whenever they want, then you go and find new ones

Luckily, as I got older I realized that those aren't friends. A friend would never go out of their way to see you fail.

When you stop surrounding yourself with toxic people for the sake of being surrounded by someone, anyone, you'll flourish.

When you finally make those real friendships, they're like nothing else.

You should never feel bad for ending a friendship if it no longer makes you happy.

Friends are supposed to bring joy to your life. They're supposed to help you and be your greatest confidant. If a friend no longer does that, you have no obligation to keep them around.

It took me a long time to learn that.

I thought that it was my responsibility to hold onto these friendships with all I could.

I was terrified what would happen if they didn't like me anymore, if they thought I was rude for ending the friendship.

Then it hit me, well they don't actually like you all that much anyway, because if they did, they would never treat you like that.

So, the point of all of this is that you do not need to be in toxic friendships.

You do not need to surround yourself with those who make you feel inferior.

Life is short, people come and go. Keep those around you who make you feel happy, who fill your life with joy.

In life, there is plenty of time to spend sad or wallowing in self pity. Your friendships do not need to be one of those times.

There is so much good to be seen, and so much happiness to be felt, why surround yourself with people who do not want to see that good happen to you?

It might just be me, but I think it's better to have one good friend, than ten bad friends.

Speak up for yourself, walk away from those who bring you down and hold onto those who lift you up. I promise you, life will be a lot more fun.