Stay away from miserable people

Some people live in a state of perpetual misery. No matter what happens, no matter how much time passes, they remain trapped in a cycle of negativity, resentment and hopelessness. Their lives are a series of complaints, a never-ending list of grievances, against the world, against fate, against the people around them. And if you are not careful, their misery can become yours.

There are people who, instead of seeking solutions, seek validation for their suffering. They don’t want to move forward because, in a strange way, they find comfort in their own despair. Misery has become their identity, and they wear it like a badge of honor. They cling to their failures, their disappointments, and their misfortunes, telling themselves and anyone who will listen, that life has been unfair to them. But the truth is, life has been unfair to everyone. The difference is how people choose to respond. When you step into the home of someone who thrives on misery, you are entering an environment where negativity is the dominant force. The air is heavy with complaints, with bitterness, with a deep-seated belief that things will never get better. And whether you realize it or not, this has a profound effect on you. Human beings are deeply influenced by their surroundings. If you spend enough time around negativity, it begins to shape your thoughts, your emotions, and even your perception of your own life. You might walk in feeling hopeful, motivated, full of plans for the future, but after an hour in their presence, you leave feeling drained, discouraged and full of doubt. These people do not celebrate your successes. In fact, they may even resent them. To them, your progress is a reminder of what they lack, of what they have refused to pursue. So they respond by trying to pull you down; not always in obvious ways, but through subtle, corrosive comments. They might tell you that your dreams are unrealistic, that the world is too harsh, that no matter what you do things won’t work out. They frame it as wisdom, as experience, as looking out for you. But in reality, they are simply projecting their own fears onto you. And if you listen, if you let their words take root in your mind, you may find yourself hesitating, second guessing your ambitions, questioning whether it’s even worth trying. Misery is contagious, it spreads like a virus, infecting your thoughts, your energy, your sense of purpose. and the worst part, it’s not easy to recognize when it’s happening. The shift is gradual. You start by sympathizing, by listening, by offering advice. But over time, you find yourself absorbing their worldview. Their doubts become your doubts. Their cynicism seeps into your thinking. Without realizing it, you begin to mirror their negativity, seeing problems instead of solutions, obstacles instead of opportunities. This is why you must be ruthless in protecting yourself from these environments. No matter how much you care about someone, no matter how much history you share, you cannot afford to let their misery dictate your mindset. It is not your responsibility to fix them, to pull them out of the hole they have chosen to remain in. You can offer support, you can encourage them. but if they refuse to change, you must be willing to walk away. The hard truth is that some people do not want to be saved. They are more comfortable complaining than changing. And if you let them, they will drag you into their misery - not out of malice, but because they cannot bear to be alone in their suffering. They need company. And if you are not careful, you will become exactly that.

Your mindset is everything. The way you see the world shapes your actions, your decisions, your future.

And if you allow yourself to be surrounded by negativity, by hopelessness, by people who do nothing but complain, you will slowly become one of them. Protect yourself, protect your mind. Because the cost of allowing their misery into your life is far greater than you realize. As we grow older, we inevitably change. We encounter experiences that shape us, develop new perspectives, and cultivate qualities that weren’t there before.