The Company You Keep
My brother Tom & I while hiking at Lost Dutchman State Park.
One of the lessons I wish I had learned sooner is how much the company we keep shapes our lives. The people we surround ourselves with can influence our happiness, confidence, peace of mind, and even the way we see ourselves.
Healthy relationships matter. The people closest to us affect the energy we carry, the choices we make, and how we move through difficult seasons of life. When you are surrounded by supportive, encouraging people, it becomes easier to grow, take chances, and enjoy life more fully.
One of the harder lessons is realizing that sometimes even people we love and care about deeply may need boundaries or a little more distance to protect our own peace and well-being.
That is why I think it’s so important to pay attention to the company you keep.
Our hang out view on Siphon Draw trail.
I see so many people pour themselves into others while forgetting to protect their own peace in the process. I am prone to it too. But when we constantly give our energy to relationships, environments, or situations that leave us feeling drained, overlooked, or emotionally exhausted, it slowly chips away at our confidence and joy.
At some point, we have to remember that protecting our peace is just as important as caring for the people around us.
While I was in Arizona visiting family, I spent a lot of time hiking and having late night talks with my little brother Tom. He has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders, not just for me, but for his family and the people around him. One of our adventures we hiked the Siphon Draw Trail and eventually sat on a huge rock overlook near the saddle, talking for hours about life, family, struggles, growth, and happiness. The desert was quiet except for the wind brushing through the mountains, and sometimes those are the moments where things become very clear.
Tom has worked incredibly hard to build a successful professional career, but even more importantly, he has built a rich life filled with strong friendships, family, and meaningful relationships. He has also been an incredible father through every stage of his children’s lives, loving and guiding them with joy, wisdom, and steady support. During our conversation, he shared something he often tells his sons:
On the way up!
“In your career and professional development- learn upward- from the people who know the struggle because they have lived it. Keep the people who uplift you in your life if you want to be happy and successful. Those that drain you will only pull you down” — Tom Cooley 🌵
That stayed with me.
Not because life is about avoiding hard people or escaping every challenge. Relationships require grace, patience, and understanding. But there is something incredibly powerful about surrounding yourself with people who encourage your growth, celebrate your wins, and make life feel lighter instead of heavier. Your gut usually knows the difference between someone offering constructive criticism to help you grow and someone simply trying to tear you down. Protect your energy. Give it to the people who believe in lifting each other up, not pulling each other apart.
It is always worth taking an honest look at your life. What is uplifting you? What is weighing you down? Which relationships leave you feeling inspired, peaceful, and valued? Which ones leave you emotionally tired or disconnected from yourself?
The same goes for environments, habits, jobs, and even the way we talk to ourselves.
We are given a short time on this earth. Your energy is valuable. Your heart is valuable. Your time is valuable.
Spend it with people who remind you of your strength, speak life into your dreams, and encourage you to become the best version of yourself.
Find those people.
Keep those people.
And be one of those people too.
How long does it usually take you to realize a relationship or environment is draining your energy?
How do you balance protecting your peace while still caring deeply about people or situations in your life? Is this something you have struggled with too?
If you are looking for more uplifting women, encouragement, movement, confidence, and real conversations about life, we would love to have you join us in the Glam & Grit community. ✨
