Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Made the decision to keep my distance from friends.

Peleke4 · 07-31-2007, 07:58 AM

Unfortunately, my circle of friends are negative. I grew up with them, known them for years... just like all friendships, we've had our good times and bad. There's no tension or **** going on between me or any of them. We're all cool.

I'm not one to burn bridges, but I recently made a firm decision to keep my distance from them. Ever since day one, they've always been negative and it's unlikely they'll change: shadiness, untrustworthy, overly-critical/judgemental, always talking **** about each other and others, some constantly play immature "mind games," etc.

In retrospect, that negative energy had a bad affect on me. I don't blame them though. I take full responsiblity. After all, it wasn't like someone had a gun to my head screaming, "Kick it w/ us or else!" I chose to hang out with them through the years. The thought of distancing myself from them did cross my mind before, but at the time I was still young and immature. I feared being alone.

Ever since immersing myself in PD/self-help, I am much more self-reliant. I see things differently. I want to surround myself with positive people. Although at my age I realize it'll be hard to find new positive friends, my decision remains firm. I've spent the last so many years surrounded by negativity and I refuse to continue. And if I don't find new friends, I'm surely not going back. I'd rather be by myself.

Has anyone ever made a firm decision to distance yourself from negative friends you've been hanging out with for years? Did your journey into PD/self-help influence you to make that decision? How was the transition like? Did you make new friends immediately? Make new friends at all? I'm just curious how your experiences went. Thanks!

07-31-2007, 07:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Peleke4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 113	Made the decision to keep my distance from friends. Unfortunately, my circle of friends are negative. I grew up with them, known them for years... just like all friendships, we've had our good times and bad. There's no tension or ** going on between me or any of them. We're all cool. I'm not one to burn bridges, but I recently made a firm decision to keep my distance from them. Ever since day one, they've always been negative and it's unlikely they'll change: shadiness, untrustworthy, overly-critical/judgemental, always talking ** about each other and others, some constantly play immature "mind games," etc. In retrospect, that negative energy had a bad affect on me. I don't blame them though. I take full responsiblity. After all, it wasn't like someone had a gun to my head screaming, "Kick it w/ us or else!" I chose to hang out with them through the years. The thought of distancing myself from them did cross my mind before, but at the time I was still young and immature. I feared being alone. Ever since immersing myself in PD/self-help, I am much more self-reliant. I see things differently. I want to surround myself with positive people. Although at my age I realize it'll be hard to find new positive friends, my decision remains firm. I've spent the last so many years surrounded by negativity and I refuse to continue. And if I don't find new friends, I'm surely not going back. I'd rather be by myself. Has anyone ever made a firm decision to distance yourself from negative friends you've been hanging out with for years? Did your journey into PD/self-help influence you to make that decision? How was the transition like? Did you make new friends immediately? Make new friends at all? I'm just curious how your experiences went. Thanks!