The idea that a new year means a clean slate is super cliché, but it’s also an idea full of hope. The chance to reinvent oneself is a positive and inspiring thing, and allows for everyone to make, or at least attempt to make lifestyle changes that they’ve been putting off. One of the best things you can do in 2016 is to cut everyone or anything that is toxic from your life.
2016 could truly be your best yet if you eliminate the poisonous people, perspectives, habits and things that you’ve been allowing to negatively affect your life. Do yourself a favor, and save yourself from future pain by cutting the toxic things out of your life sooner rather than later.
Start by removing any toxic people from your life.
Let go of the people that seem to make your life harder than it needs to be. This can be difficult, especially if it is someone you consider a best friend or a close family member, but your life can improve greatly if you cut the ties. Stop putting effort into relationships that the other person doesn’t consider important. If your friend, coworker, or significant other doesn’t actually care how you are doing and only cares about what you can do for them, you need to rethink how you prioritize them in your life. If people are drowning you in their negativity and judgment, you truly don’t need them holding you back. Stop giving love so freely to people who make you feel as if you’re hard to love. Do not let negative people take up space in your life that could be filled with so many other wonderful people and things. Use your energy to strengthen the friendships that actually inspire you rather than drain you. Sometimes we outgrow people, and we need to accept that.
Cut out your bad habits.
Obviously this is easier said than done. Start off slowly, but really assess how your habits are affecting you. If you’re exhausted and can’t make it through your day without an energy drink, consider cutting back on the 3 a.m. Netflix marathons. If you’re truly dedicated to losing weight instead of just talking about going to the gym, actually commit to going a few days a week at first. Stop biting your nails if you hate how short they are, and stop over-committing yourself if you’re too stressed to function.
Stop thinking in such a toxic way.
Sometimes you can change your day’s outcome by changing your attitude. Start seeing things in a positive way and focus on what you have rather than what you don’t. Take life one day at a time rather than being overwhelmed with what you need to do in the next three months. Stop comparing yourself to others, and start speaking to yourself as you were speaking to your best friend. Sure you’re still going to have bad days, but maybe they will be few and far between if you start seeing your life in a new light.
Try not to overthink everything.
Overthinking can be more harmful that helpful in most situations. 2016 is a good year to start letting things go. Once again, this is easier said than done. Stop thinking about something mean you said to someone four years ago, or if you should’ve done something differently that one time. We can’t always change what happens, and overthinking is like sitting in a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it takes you nowhere.
Put yourself first on your list of priorities.
Realize that the only person who is truly going to be there for you forever, is you. Focus on your own well-being, even if that means saying no more often to things you don’t actually want to do. Treat yourself well and do not let your happiness depend on others because they could walk right out of your life tomorrow. Learn how to be alone, and understand the difference between being alone and being lonely.
Make 2016 a year to remember, and change your life this year by removing those toxic people, thoughts and habits that are weighing you down. Robert Tew perfectly summarizes this concept: “Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.”
