Spending LESS time with someone who drains your energy is AS important as spending MORE time with someone who raises it..
Have you ever noticed how spending time with certain people can either lift you up or drag you down? It's like being in a room filled with either sunshine or storm clouds. This simple yet profound observation encapsulates a fundamental truth about human relationships: the importance of choosing who you surround yourself with.
Think of your energy as a precious resource, like water in a desert oasis. When you're around people who uplift you, who make you feel alive and inspired, it's like being replenished by a refreshing spring. These are the folks who encourage you, support your dreams, and bring out the best in you. They're like sunlight, nourishing your spirit and helping you grow.
Conversely, spending time with those who drain your energy is like trying to water a garden with a leaky hose. No matter how much you give, it feels like it's never enough, and you end up feeling depleted and exhausted. These are the people who constantly complain, criticize, or bring negativity into your life. They sap your vitality and leave you feeling worn out and discouraged.
But here's the kicker: we often underestimate the impact that these relationships have on our overall well-being. We might convince ourselves that we can handle the negativity, or that we owe it to the other person to stick around. But the truth is, every minute spent with someone who drains your energy is a minute taken away from nurturing relationships that truly lift you up.
It's not about cutting people out of your life completely; it's about setting boundaries and prioritizing your own mental and emotional health. Just like you wouldn't keep pouring water into a leaky bucket, you shouldn't keep pouring your energy into relationships that leave you feeling empty. Sometimes, spending less time with certain people is the best thing you can do for yourself.
Imagine you're on a hiking trip, and you come across a fork in the road. One path leads to a breathtaking mountain vista, filled with wildflowers and clear blue skies. The other path leads into a dark, tangled forest, where the trees loom overhead like silent sentinels. Which path would you choose?
Of course, it's a no-brainer. You'd choose the path that leads to beauty and inspiration, not the one that fills you with dread and discomfort. And yet, when it comes to our relationships, we often find ourselves choosing the latter without even realizing it.
So, the next time you find yourself feeling drained after spending time with someone, ask yourself: Is this relationship nourishing me, or is it draining me? And if it's the latter, don't be afraid to take a step back and reevaluate your priorities. Your energy is precious, and you deserve to spend it on people who lift you up, not weigh you down.
Remember, life is too short to waste on relationships that don't bring you joy. Surround yourself with people who make you feel alive, who inspire you to be your best self, and watch as your world transforms into a place of boundless possibility.
What steps can you take today to prioritize relationships that uplift and inspire you?
* If you’re seeking extra motivation and inspiration on your journey of personal growth, I recommend taking a look at my SMART growth goals page, This page offers thousands of goal ideas that can assist in the establishment of new aspirations and the attainment of greater heights in one's life. In fact, it was instrumental in my creation of a list of 100 goals, which I pursued for a decade.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
