Chapter 5 – Clean Your CircleDear future me,If you remember only one thing from me, remember this —not everyone deserves a place in your life.Right now, I am learning this the hard way.I keep letting people stay in my circle who don’t bring light, only shadows.They smile, they laugh, they act like friends —but inside, they carry poison.They don’t clap when I win.They don’t stand with me when I lose.They don’t care if my dreams grow or die.And yet, I keep them near because I don’t want to look rude,because I think maybe they will change,because I hope maybe I am wrong about them.But here is the truth I have learned:Bad people don’t get better because you are kind to them.They get bolder.They take more space.They take more of your energy.They take more of you.I don’t want you to be me.I don’t want you to keep the wrong people just to keep the peace.Because there is no peace when the wrong people are near —there is only quiet pain.Future me, I hope you have the strength to open the door and tell them to go.I hope you can look at someone and say,“You do not respect me. You do not support me. You do not deserve me.”I want you to remember:Your life is a garden.Every person is like a seed.Some will grow flowers,some will grow thorns,and some will grow weeds that take away the water from the flowers.You cannot grow a strong, beautiful garden if you keep the weeds.It doesn’t matter if they are family, old friends, or people who once helped you.If they are hurting you now,if they are stopping your growth,if they are using your kindness as a weakness —you must pull them out.And don’t feel guilty for it.Guilt is what bad people use to keep their seat in your life.They will say you changed.They will say you are selfish.They will say you forgot them.But here is the truth — you didn’t forget them,you remembered yourself.Remember this too:Loyalty is not staying with someone no matter what.Loyalty is staying true to your own values, even if it means walking away.I know it is not easy.I know your hands will shake when you remove someone who has been close for years.But your heart will thank you later.Your mornings will feel lighter.Your thoughts will feel clearer.Your smile will feel real again.Future me, please don’t keep people who drain you.Keep the ones who pour into you.Keep the ones who cheer for you when you are not in the room.Keep the ones who don’t compete, don’t compare, and don’t control.Your circle is your power.The wrong people can turn your life dark.The right people can make you fly.Choose wisely.And if someone ever makes you question your worth —that’s the first sign they don’t deserve you.So here is my last word on this:Don’t be me, the me who kept people too long out of fear and politeness.Be the you who says,“If you cannot love me well, you cannot stay.”Clean your circle.Protect your light.Your future depends on it.
