It’s that time of year when we all begin to look at what’s happened in the twelve months just passed, and look forward to those to come. If you’re like most women, chances are you’ll have a whole list of great intentions and plans for what your giving up and taking up in 2014, and, like most of us, many of them will slip by the wayside after mere weeks.
But, while we often think about the foods and habits we should be detoxing from in the New Year, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your mental health is sit and think about the people in your life. Surrounding yourself with positive energy is the easiest way to feel better on an everyday basis, so if you’re feeling down in the dumps more than you should, maybe it’s time to look at who you're spending your time with, and reassign your precious days to focus more on the people who make you feel better – not worse. Here are some ‘friends’ you should consider detoxing from in 2014.
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The Competitor
We’ve all got one. More often than not a friend made when you were still in school, the member of the group who always had a better story, whether it was real or fictional never really mattered. This person is the walking version of a social media profile; LOOK HOW AMAZING MY LIFE IS. If you can’t finish a story without being interrupted for a ‘better’ one, it's time to move on.
The Bad Influence
Now, we’ve been known to be the ‘devil on the shoulder’ once or twice ourselves, but there’s a big difference between the pal who convinces you that you really do deserve that designer bag you’ve been eyeing up, and the one who buys you triple vodkas on her round without saying a word because ‘you’re HILARIOUS when you’re drunk’. That’s not for your benefit; it’s for her amusement. Get rid.
The Gossiper
Contrary to popular belief, not all women were born with a desperate need to know their neighbour’s business, or care about it. Whereas most of us enjoy a good natter, if there’s someone in your life who exists only to start sentences with ‘I shouldn’t tell you this, but…’, then you can be damn sure they’re doing the same behind your back. Keep you lips zipped, and she’ll soon get bored.
The Moaner
This one is especially dangerous in the workplace, where it’s easy to fall into step with someone because of where you sit, your ages or something else that would never lead to friendship in the outside world. Someone whinging beside you all day can really take its toll on your patience and form, so invest in some good headphones, start taking walks at lunchtime and politely but firmly insist you have work to do when this person tries to pull you into a conversation downer.
The User
That friend who calls when they; a) need to borrow a dress, b) need a babysitter, c) need you to lie about where they actually are… the list goes on. If you would think twice about calling this person should you need help, then it’s clear this relationship is a one-way street, and you need to start putting up some roadblocks.
The Guilt-Tripper
The one who posts a public message on your Facebook wall saying, ‘I haven’t heard from you in aaaaaaages, call me! X’, but wouldn’t pick up the phone themselves if you paid them. This is a needy friend who wants to feel loved and wanted in relationships, but doesn’t really want to put in any effort. Real friends can pick up the phone after any length and talk as though it were only the day before that you last spoke.
