All for One and One for All

We each have our select group of friends that we choose to hang out with on a daily basis (or near enough daily). These are the people who know us best, the people we can trust and rely on all the time. The people who don't get annoyed at you when you wake them up at 3am with an issue. The people you feel totally blessed to have around you. All these things are nice, they show us some of the reasons why having a group of friends is so good. However sometimes being around someone all the time isn't such a great thing. Whether they be a friends or simply an acquaintance. We automatically respond to the emotions of those around us, someone who is sad will evoke a subconscious reaction in the people around them. The same is said for all emotions. Being around someone who is really happy and excited means that you will be (at least slightly) happy and excited. This is when a group of friends has a brilliant dynamic that we all love, this is when the most fun happens. Similarly when even one member of your crew is feeling down and unhappy, the change is much more negative, any action that is negative will affect everyone around you. Actions as simple as complaining! And as I always try to stress: having a positive mindset is crucial to living a successful and happy life. Having negative energy around you isn't healthy, especially if it is a common occurrence. It is natural for everyone to have these moments, we simply can not live without it, the occasional little bit of negativity is fine, it is when a feeling of negativity is constant or occurs often, this is when there is a problem. Now as much as you do not want to leave said person to help themselves, it is important to prioritise yourself and your mindset. Recently I have been surrounding myself with a friend who is always negative, angry and upset, and it has been eating away at my attempts to be positive. So I have distanced myself from her, I don't hang out with her as much, and although she is one of my closest friends, there is only so much that I can take. I would recommend that, if you are in the same or similar position to me, that you take a step back, not forever, but just to allow your friend to calm into a more positive mindset. It is really important that we each appreciate that where mentality is concerned, we should come first ahead of those around us, our health must be a priority! And, even though part of you wants to be constantly helping out, it is important we remember this.

So remember:

- smile often

- stay positive

- put yourself first