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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?

Thanks to some Christmas money from my parents and my grandparents-- as well a little bit of extra money I'd had stashed away-- I was able to indulge a little after the holidays and purchase a few goodies that I had been lusting after for a while. The most exciting purchase was the Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC bag, which I had been wanting for absolutely ages. Every year for Christmas I buy my mom a designer handbag and yet, when it comes to me, I've never been able to spend more than around $30 on one. Since the bag I bad been carrying around is about two or three years old, I decided to take the plunge and buy this gorgeous black cherry bag. And, yes, it was on sale so I didn't have to feel too guilty when hitting 'place order.'

I also got a few beauty bits and bobs. I had never tried out the Tanya Burr lipgloss collection before-- every time I would go to purchase, the colors I wanted would be sold out. But when she came out with her new colors, I found a couple that I really wanted to try out (I Found Nemo and Enchanted Forest)... and was able to buy one of the ones I could never luck out and get before (Afternoon Tea). They are wonderful: smooth and not sticky at all, great pigmentation, and they smell amaaaazing. Probably the best smelling lip glosses I have ever had.

And because I had super dry skin-- year round, really, but especially now that it is winter-- I got a couple of things to help save my skin. The Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish leaves my face feeling soft and smooth. It's exfoliating particles are so fine it feels like sand, so it is really gentle on my skin. And a couple of nights a week I have started using the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, which smells citrusy and fresh and really moisturizes my skin.

These buys helped keep the Christmas spirit alive for me just a little bit longer. Did any of you make after Christmas buys for yourself? What did you get? I, personally, may need to refrain from online shopping for a while now that the season is over!

• Be kinder to others. Be kinder to myself.
• Read good books. Watch good movies. Look at good art.
• Take care of myself. Cleanse more. Moisturize morning and night.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Drink more water. Use that NutriBullet more.
• Meditate. Breath. Be positive.
• Support local businesses, local artists, local musicians.

This past year has been wonderful and awful and everything in between. Opportunities came and went, I lost my precious LuLu (something I haven't yet had the courage to post about), and I've found myself and lost myself all over again. So I am looking forward to 2015 and hoping it will be an amazing year where plenty of awesome things will happen for all of us.