I think everyone would agree that one of the main goals in life is to simply be happy. Everybody finds their own happiness in different ways. People try to obtain it through careers, where they live, hobbies, money, family relationships and one of the most important: who they surround themselves with.

I have recently noticed many people in my life are giving second chances to those who don’t deserve it. When I ask them why they agreed to go out with that boy again or get lunch with that girl, they always say “because I feel bad”. I understand this, I too used to feel bad about cutting people out of my life. You hope so badly that things will turn around and they’ll change back into the person you once loved, the person you so desperately cared so much about. The person who you built memories with, and the person you never thought would cause you any harm. So you try to take everything with a grain of salt. I know how this goes. You start making excuses for them when they don’t deserve it, in an attempt to salvage any hope of them changing, and as a way to buy them more time.

But ultimately, their time is up.

It’s time for YOU to no longer be faking a smile around people, rather find people who will make your smile genuine. At the end of the day, you have to look out for your own happiness, because who else will?

Be selfish.

Walk away when they are intentionally trying to bring you down. Walk away after they spread that rumor. Walk away after you see him out with someone else. Walk away when being around them isn’t a positive environment. Walk away when you are no longer happy and don’t feel bad about it.

Cut toxic ties, and keep on keeping on. You deserve to be happy.