I don't recall now who I heard the phrase from, but it could be Jay Shetty or Robin Sharma, since they are two of those self-help authors I usually listen to when I am in the mood.
Easier said than done, noh? Yes, but it doesn't imply it's impossible.
It is doable, especially when one truly desires a happier, peaceful, and less stressful life. Deleting does not equate to totally blocking people (or things) from our lives or avoiding them altogether. It's learning to set boundaries. It's limiting the time spent with those who bring negativity to our days - the energy suckers, the mean, rude, or toxic ones, the "marites."
Well, there was a chapter in my life when I was one of them, all because I wanted to belong to a circle that didn't want me in it. While I was mostly quiet to the people around me, I became so toxic to myself, having a pity party on my own, having negative self-talk, and sabotaging my own happiness, because I allowed others to make me feel small and insignificant.
Looking back now, I laugh at how silly I was back then. Yet I don't feel any tinge of regret, since I have accepted the fact that such a period in my life taught me a valuable lesson that I greatly appreciate today.
So yes, I have deleted many over the years, and distanced myself from those who don't contribute to my well-being. It may seem cruel or heartless, but if we value our joy and peace, we can get past that stage quite easily.
These days, I'm more like "I love myself and my sanity, so I'm sorry, but I really have to close this door for you. I will open it when I feel like it." Of course, I don't tell them straight in the face. I move away quietly, they will not even notice, lol!
That's also one of the reasons why I love living in the countryside, where our neighbors are hundreds of meters away, and we would not be bothered even if there are 'marites' (a term used by Filipinos referring to gossipers or naysayers) around.
Image by Tuấn Kiệt Jr. via Pexels. No copyright infringement intended. 17122025/17:29ph
