Thursday, May 9

The Company You Keep

BY: Kaleria Jackson

As we navigate our way through life, we come across plenty of people. Some of the people we meet are not meant to stay in our lives forever. Time will show the course of how some people are seasonal. The company that you keep is very important because he people you allow into your life can be detrimental to your health. 

When forming new friendships, or even relationships, begin watch for red flags that can show up. These red flags show the possible signs that a person may not be fit to be in your life. 

The positive energy that you have put out in the world can cross paths with negative energy. That negative energy can affect to your own energy. Protect your energy, because not everyone is not meant to have the luxury of being in your space or life. Your space should be where your peace should lie.  

I have had my share of run-ins with people that should have not been in my life. I once had a “friend” that had her whole life wrapped around her “boyfriend.” Their relationship was toxic, and somehow I was pulled in the vortex of their toxic relationship. I became their therapist, maybe even their solution. I became the girl that came in to try to fix all their problems. I was pushed to the side, not even given any thought from my “friend” because everything was about her and her relationship. Our “friendship” ended because she chose the toxic boyfriend over the caring friend. After our friendship ended, my life became a bit more peaceful without the surrounding toxicity. 

Toxicity can be described in different ways when it comes to friendships and relationships. Nancy Irwin, Psy.D., of Seasons in Malibu, describes a toxic person as anyone who is abusive, unsupportive, or unhealthy emotionally—someone who basically brings you down more than up. 

When you feel as if you are being neglected, physically or emotionally, understand that those are red flags that are appearing in your personal relationships. Those red flags can cause drifts in relationships, but in the end it is okay to cut people out of your life. It happens. If you are not ready to cut someone out of your life, take a step back from that person. After taking a step back, you may just be able to find context in that relationship. 

Let’s not take the company that we have encountered for granted. I believe the people we cross paths with typically have a reason for being in our life. Some stay for short periods of time, and others for longer periods of time, but they show us a lesson in some way, shape, or form. Be careful of who you allow in your company. A person once told me, “Misery loves company,” don’t let misery be your company. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/201505/13-red-flags-potentially-toxic-friendships

https://greatist.com/live/dealing-with-a-toxic-person#1

https://www.self.com/story/relationship-red-flags-never-ignore