Maintaining healthy relationships with family, friends, and significant others is a challenging task many twenty-somethings face. We’re in that phase of life where we are all trying to figure ourselves out. We’re balancing what we want with what we need, and in times of growth and self-discovery we may find that the people in our lives no longer add value to the path we choose for ourselves.

It can prove to be difficult to come to terms with knowing that someone (or maybe multiple people) is unfit to keep in our lives. It’s incredibly hard to end a friendship, romantic relationship, or cut ties with a relative, because these are the people we often love most.

The pressure to fit in, give up, and make choices based on the opinions of others may impact how we live. Similarly, we may be blindly sacrificing what we want most just to please someone else. Knowing this, it’s important to assess the negative relationships in our lives.

Here are five core reasons you may need to cut ties with others and focus on yourself in your twenties:

1. They are negative influences. Ever experience certain people who only offer pessimistic attitudes? You know, the ones who always have a problem or vent nonstop when you hangout. Yes, that’s what we’re talking about here. Continue reading →