Most of us struggle with how to remove toxic people from our lives.

Family, friends, coworkers—they can all hurt us.

But here’s the truth: you can walk away without feeling guilty.

Your peace of mind and mental health come first.

Not last.

Not somewhere in between.

You are not anyone’s emotional dumping ground.

Staying in toxic relationships only steals your energy, joy, and clarity.

Kindness doesn’t mean self-sacrifice.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean endless tolerance.

You can love someone and still choose distance.

You can care deeply and still protect your peace.

Leaving a toxic situation takes courage.

It means setting boundaries, building a support system, and prioritizing self-care.

Sometimes, it’s one person.

Sometimes, it’s the environment—a lecherous boss, a colleague who stirs drama, or a workplace that thrives on tension and gossip.

I remember asking a friend who managed a busy restaurant,

“Wait, you don’t get a break? No days off at all?”

It didn’t make sense. No one should run ragged without rest.

It took him a while, but he finally saw the truth: the bosses were toxic.

They thrived on control, kept employees exhausted, and turned normal work into constant stress.

Suddenly, all the guilt, fatigue, and frustration made sense.

This is how toxicity sneaks in.

Sometimes it’s obvious.

Sometimes it’s subtle.

But the result is always the same—it drains your energy and dulls your spirit.

The good news?

You can take your power back.

You can reclaim your calm.

Here’s how.

1. Identify Toxic Behaviors

Toxic people don’t always shout their presence.

They show up with constant negativity, manipulation, or guilt trips.

Notice how you feel after spending time with them.

If you leave drained or uneasy, that’s your cue.

2. Set Clear Boundaries

Boundaries protect you.

Be clear about what you will and won’t tolerate.

Stand firm when they test those limits.

You’re not being rude—you’re respecting yourself.

3. Limit Interaction

You don’t have to cut ties overnight.

Start by reducing contact.

Keep conversations short and neutral.

Spend that time with people who uplift you instead.

4. Build a Support System

Surround yourself with people who genuinely care—friends who listen, encourage, and remind you of your worth.

“Always be your true self, and surround yourself with positive and supportive people.” – Amanda Lepore

5. Prioritize Self-Care

Toxic relationships drain your spirit.

Refill it with joy.

Exercise, read, take walks, paint—whatever helps you breathe again.

Self-care is not selfish. It’s how you heal.

6. Learn to Say No

“No” is your power word.

You don’t owe explanations or guilt.

Every time you say no to negativity, you say yes to peace.

“No is a complete sentence.” – Anne Lamott

7. Seek Professional Help

If someone’s behavior deeply affects your mental health, talk to a therapist.

They can help you unpack emotions and set healthy limits.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

8. Create Distance

Sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do is walk away completely.

Unfollow, block, or cut contact if necessary.

It’s hard at first—but peace feels better than chaos ever will.

9. Focus on Growth

Shift your focus to self-improvement and personal goals.

Toxic people keep you stuck; growth pulls you forward.

“When you prioritize yourself, everything else will fall into its place.” – Rachel Jo

10. Practice Assertive Communication

You don’t need to shout or apologize for having boundaries.

Speak calmly, clearly, and directly.

Assertiveness is your shield against manipulation.

Final Thoughts

Taking steps to remove toxic people from your life isn’t cruel—it’s self-respect.

It’s choosing calm over chaos and clarity over confusion.

You have the right to rest, to breathe, and to live without walking on eggshells.

Life is too short to keep explaining yourself to people who don’t want to understand.

Laugh when you can.

Apologize when you should.

Let go of what you can’t change.

Protect your calm like it’s gold—because it is.

Spend your time with people who make you feel lighter, not heavier.

Your peace is your power.

Guard it.

Is there happiness in old age?

Some mornings, I’ll be honest, I don’t think so.

I wake up stiff, every joint grumbling like it has a mind of its own.

My knee and back having an all-out contest:.

“I hurt more than you!”

“No, I hurt more!”

And somewhere in the corner, my shoulder chimes in.

“I’m Steve, and I’m stiff. LOL.”

And yet…then the sun spills across the floor, golden and lazy, and I remember that happiness isn’t gone.

It’s just hiding in the small, soft corners of life.

Like me at fifty, learning to enjoy soft foods ahead of time, knowing full well one day I’d lose my teeth.

Old is old.

Old is not gold, so keep that in mind.

Let’s keep it simple.

1. Keep the People Who Matter Close

Forget the energy-drainers and grammar-policing friends.

I know, I’m Steve, and yes, I can be punctuation police too.

Surround yourself with people who make you laugh.

This immediately rules out ex-colleagues, snarky, smarty-pants classmates.

And neighborhood Karen, who only notices when you’re having a rough day.

Instead, gravitate toward the Dorys of the world, or anyone who can simply sit with you in companionable silence.

A handful of genuine connections is worth more than a hundred polite nods.

And yes, a little eccentricity is welcomed!

Life’s too short for boring friends.

Seek the wild, quirky ones who pop unwashed grapes at the supermarket just to see if they’re sweet.

2. Do the Things That Spark Joy

And no, I don’t mean pulling a Marie Kondo — unless she’s doing my laundry too.

Life slows, but curiosity doesn’t have to.

Paint.

Plant a mango tree.

Dance (even if only in slippers).

Write letters—yes, even if it’s just a big “A” for Apple.

Try something new.

Pick responsibilities that you never learned growing up.

Those that secretly bring satisfaction, and skip the ones that don’t.

Even the smallest pleasures count.

A hot cup of tea. Coffee with milk.

Maybe a cheeky sip of whiskey (bonus points if it comes with whiskers).

A stroll to visit the neighbor’s cat.

A perfectly timed sneeze. Or yes — a gloriously long fart.

They all count.

Little anchors that remind you life’s still good — still worth laughing about.

Do the things that spark joy, not spark plugs.

You can be a spark plug if you like — not quite the live wire, but hey, thanks for trying.

Personally, I’d pick laughter and a touch of mischief any day.

3. Notice the Little Miracles

And FINALLY—happiness isn’t constant.

It flickers, hides, and surprises you.

Remember Dory, who tells you funny dad jokes at the most unexpected moments?

That’s the kind of magic I mean.

A shaft of sunlight, a shared laugh, a memory that makes your chest ache a little—that’s it.

Forgive old grudges, even the nasty ones from older people who really should know better.

(Equally old but nasty and childish enough to remove classmates from WhatsApp groups)

Celebrate small wins.

Holding in your farts at church.

Trying not to fall asleep and snore during the sermon—big victories, my friend.

Even bigger if you’re the preacher!

Even on gray, stiff mornings, these tiny moments remind you that life is still quietly astonishing.

And if you forget, the breeze, a neighbor’s dog, or a random burst of song will probably remind you.

Old age isn’t perfect.

Some days ache, some days drag.

But by keeping the right people close, doing what excites you, and noticing the little miracles, happiness can still sneak in, unannounced—like Steve, stiff as ever, warming himself in a sunbeam.

In honor of World Happiness Day, read these little stories designed to brighten your day.

From acts of kindness to little puzzles that make us smile, each story is meant to leave you feeling warm and happy.

Sit back, relax, and let them inspire you to spread joy and happiness to those around you.

A simple act of kindness can go a long way in making the world a happier place.

World Happiness Day is celebrated on March 20 every year.

It is a day to reflect on what brings us joy, contentment, and satisfaction.

People around the world share their experiences of happiness and what it means to them.

While there are many ways to celebrate, one of the simplest and most meaningful is to read these little stories.

They are guaranteed to bring a smile and inspire you to share happiness with others.

Random Acts of Kindness: A Poor Man’s Day Transformed

One of the easiest ways to bring joy is through acts of kindness.

Read this little story about a moment that changed both my life and someone else’s.

I remember giving my watch, phone, and RM500 to a poor man on the street.

At first, I was scared because he had a knife, but I knew he needed help.

When he saw the money, his shoulders relaxed and a grateful smile spread across his face.

That moment became one of the happiest of my life.

It reminded me how simple acts of kindness can make a big difference and how happiness often comes from giving.

Zookeeper Memories: Who Would Steal a Lion?

Read this little story from my time working at a zoo.

Happiness can often come from memories.

I once worked at a zoo and was fired for leaving a lion’s gate open.

Who would steal a lion?

Despite the mishap, I often think about the fun times I had with the animals.

The echo of their playful roars and the feel of the sun on my back bring a smile every time I remember.

Those small, joyful memories are a simple reminder that happiness is everywhere if we look for it.

Simple Joys and Puzzles

Sometimes joy comes from humor. Read this little story from a cab ride.

The driver said, “I love my job. I am my own boss and nobody tells me what to do.”

I said, “Turn left.”

We both laughed, and in that instant, the cab felt lighter, as if the laughter carried a little spark of happiness.

Even small, everyday observations can spark joy.

“Why do the sick have to walk to the back for prescriptions while cigarettes sit at the front of the pharmacy?”

“Who orders a double cheeseburger with a Diet Coke?”

“Why park expensive cars in the driveway but fill the garage with junk?”

These little puzzles make us laugh, reflect, and connect with life in a lighter way.

Happiness can be found in helping others, reminiscing on joyful memories, or sharing a laugh with someone.

Spreading Joy on World Happiness Day

On World Happiness Day, read these little stories and remember that happiness is contagious.

Every act of kindness, every laugh, and every shared moment can brighten someone’s day.

Even in difficult times, there is always a spark of hope and happiness waiting to be discovered.

Whether you share a funny story, help someone in need, or just show up, small gestures can make a big difference.

Imagine the ripple effect of your smile or your kind words.

The world could use more joy today.

Take Happiness Beyond Today

If these stories have made you smile, share them with your friends and family.

Let World Happiness Day inspire you to make the world brighter, one kind act, one laugh, one moment of joy at a time.

Happiness is all around us.

Every act of kindness, every laugh, and every smile helps create a world filled with happiness.

Together, we can spread more joy and remind everyone that the little moments in life matter the most.