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This is a strange blog post to be writing, especially because I tend to hold on to relationships and friendships until they are rotten and stinky and no good for anybody involved. I usually think that any problem can be fixed-- and my way of fixing them is to compromise, compromise, compromise until I am totally unhappy and getting nothing out of the relation/friendship. But one thing I've decided to do this year is take better care of myself-- including my happiness-- which means letting go of relationships and friendships that aren't good for me. Here are a few signs that you need to let go of someone in your life:

They never have anything positive to say. It is never good to be around a Negative Nancy or a Debbie Downer for long periods of time-- or many short periods of time. It will rub off on you. And watch out for those backhanded compliments-- you know, things that are meant to sound positive, but totally aren't? "Those jeans really hide your muffin top" is not part of the friend code of honesty, especially when you didn't ask for an opinion.

You dread their texts and phone calls. Does this one even need an explanation? If you cringe with fear every time your phone goes off, it is time to cut that person out of your life.

They gossip about others. Okay, yeah, we all rant about other people occasionally. But if your friend gossips about other friends on a daily basis, it is safe to assume they probably gossip about you too.

It's always a competition. I'm big on friends supporting friends and women supporting other women. If your friend rarely does that and instead turns your friendship into a competition, it's time to move on. That's just not a healthy mindset to have.

Letting go isn't always easy and it may take a few tries before it sticks. But I really believe life will be better in the long run-- for all of us-- if we let go of people who make us feel bad.

Have you ever had to let go of a friend? How did you do it and why?