Many people enter our lives on a daily basis and some have more influence over us than others. Some people were meant to be in our lives for a reason and those reasons may vary, but the one thing that we have to stop doing is letting people in that don't deserve us.

I'm talking about the toxic people we come in contact with. Their purpose is to show us that we deserve better and that we can't let people, no matter how charming they may seem, control our happiness. We have to be stronger than the facade and take a stand when we feel that our own best interests aren't being taken into account. Luckily it's relatively easy to spot that person in your life who you know isn't good for you.

If they only want to see you when it's most convenient for them. You are NOT a convenience. Don't ever let yourself become someone that someone else puts on the back burner. No matter what the situation is, if someone genuinely cares for you they will make time to see you, and not just when it's easiest for them.

You feel like you're constantly trying to impress them. Revolving yourself around someone else just so they "consider" whether or not you're worth their time is a massive waste of yours. A good friend is someone who loves you for you, imperfections and all. They are the type of people who will see you as perfect even though they know you aren't. Don't focus your time trying to be someone you're not in order to fit the standard of someone else. That's a lot of added stress that the modern day twenty-something definitely does not need. Surround yourself with those who make you feel like a million bucks even when you look like a bargain brand.

You don't feel valued. If you're constantly questioning whether or not someone values you, the answer is that they probably don't. We have to stop feeling guilty about wanting validation. It's only natural to want to hear how much you mean to someone. You're not attention-seeking, and you're not being dramatic. You are asking for what every human being wants. I don't care who you are, at some point you want to hear that you matter, and we can't let ourselves feel bad about not getting it. If a person is good for you, you'll feel important to them because they'll let you know.

You don't feel comfortable enough to speak your mind. One of the worst things you can do is keep yourself bottled up. If you feel like you can't be yourself and express what's hurting you to someone because you're afraid they'll like you less, you need to reevaluate that friendship. Never sacrifice your own well being in order to spare someone else. It's not selfish to put yourself first when you feel you are being wronged.

At the end of the day, we're creatures of habit. We tend to stick around people to avoid change and entering the unknown. As a species we're addicted to the things we know are bad for us in hopes that maybe they won't be. We become addicted to drugs, alcohol and even people. We know these things are toxic but the high of our intoxication makes us feel like maybe one day it'll be worth it. And while being intoxicated is fun at the time, it only does more harm than good in the long-run. Once we detox ourselves from what brings us down, we won't need to crave what harms us because we will feel better without it. My suggestion to you is to cut out your vices--especially if they're human--and let yourself grow instead of hindering yourself. You are worth it, and don't ever let anyone else make you feel any differently.