Are you screening your friends? You should be. People everywhere are friends with some people, because they weren’t bold enough to say no. I know I’m guilty. I didn’t even think screening friends was a thing, until I became an adult. Some people are only supposed to be in your life for a season. As harsh as it may sound, that is the reality.

You are supposed to grow and to change over time, and sometimes your friends don’t grow and change with you. I don’t think it is necessary to break ties with every friend who doesn’t grow at the same rate as yourself. I do, however, think it is necessary to reevaluate your friends at times.

There are some friends who will be inspired by you, and who will work to be better versions of themselves as well. There are some other friends who will not be interested in growth or change. Instead, they will try to hinder your own growth to make themselves feel better. Those people typically want you to stay the same. To them, that is comfortable.

Also read: When Is It Time to Change Your Circle of Friends

You may grow in a different direction from your friends and that is completely fine. Remember, you only get one life, and you shouldn’t spend it doing things that you don’t want to do. You also shouldn’t spend your life holding onto people who should have been dismissed from your inner circle years ago. It may be time to make that hard decision to leave those people behind who don’t help you to be a better you.

You should love yourself enough to do what is best for you. I am not telling you to be selfish. I am telling you that in order for you to serve others well, you have to be at your best. You cannot be at your best if the people around you aren’t inspiring you. Your friends should be pushing you the way that you push them. If not, they should go through the screening process again.

Do you screen your friends?