3 types of people you should remove from your life, as per Gauranga Das

Some people bring peace, growth, and strength into your life. Others slowly drain your energy, confidence, and self-respect without you fully realising it. Spiritual teacher Gauranga Das often speaks about the importance of satsang (good association) and reminds us that who you keep around you shapes how you think, feel, and act. Not everyone who smiles at you or calls themselves a friend truly has your best interests at heart. Some are attached only to your usefulness, not your wellbeing. Knowing who to lovingly distance yourself from is not cruelty; it’s an act of loyalty to your own mental and emotional health.

Here are three types of people he shared you should consider removing from your life on his social media profile:

These are the “seasonal” people who show up when they want a favour, contacts, money, emotional support or help fixing a crisis; then vanish once their problem is solved.

As Gauranga Das puts it, "They appear in your life when they need something from you. But once they get what they want, they'll disappear again. This is not friendship, this is convinience"

You’ll notice the pattern: they rarely check on you just to ask how you are. The conversation is almost always about their needs. Over time, you may start feeling used, unappreciated, or guilty for saying no. Letting go of such one-sided bonds frees your time and heart for people who are there even when they don’t need anything from you, only your presence.

Healthy friends celebrate your wins, no matter how small. The second type Gauranga Das warns against are those who cannot let you enjoy a moment of success without adding a subtle sting.

He describes them as the ones who say: "'It's good, but not good enough' or 'Good, but what next?' They aren't encouraging you. Instead, they slowly eat away your confidence."

On the surface, it might sound like “motivation” or “pushing you to do better,” but if every compliment is wrapped in criticism, it’s not support. This is their insecurity disguised as feedback. Being around such people can make you feel like nothing you do is ever enough. Over time, you may start doubting your own progress and stop sharing your achievements altogether. Creating distance from them allows you to rebuild a healthier relationship with your own success and self-worth.

Conflict is normal; everyone makes mistakes. But how someone behaves after they’ve hurt you reveals their real character. The third group Gauranga Das talks about are those who never say sorry, never self-reflect, and always flip the blame back onto you.

He explains: "If they make a mistake or hurt you, that's fine. But if you do the same, then they'll remind you about it for days. The day you remove such people from your life, you'll feel lighter in life. Removing such people from your life is not ditching them. This is loyalty to you. Stop entertaining such people."

These people keep score of your mistakes, but treat their own as nothing. They’ll minimise your pain, gaslight your feelings, and make you feel guilty for even bringing an issue up. Staying around them teaches you to tolerate disrespect. Choosing to step away isn’t betrayal; it’s self-respect. When you stop entertaining people who cannot own their behaviour, you make room for relationships based on accountability, humility, and mutual care.

You don’t have to hate or curse anyone to let them go. You can release them with clarity and compassion, knowing that protecting your peace is part of living a healthier, more honest life.

Looking at these three types, is there one person in your life who clearly fits a pattern? And what’s one small boundary you could set with them to honour yourself a bit more? Tell us in the comments below.