I'd like to share with you a quote often mis-attributed to famous neurologist Sigmund Freud:

Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by idiots

The truth of the matter is, once you start to improve yourself and become a better person, many of your old "friends" will feel threatened because it makes them self conscious.

They start seeing you grow into a happy, positive person, and they want what you have, but are unwilling to put in the hard work to get there.

So these "friends" will put you down, degrade you, talk shit about you, tell you that "you've changed", call you a loser, etc.

Don't take it personally. Jealousy and envy brings out the worst in people. In fact, feel sorry for them. They lack the fortitude to do what you've done. Slinging arrows is a lot easier than taking a look inward and acknowledging your own flaws.

But let me tell you this:

1) These people are not your friends. Drop them like a bad habit.

2) The #1 secret to success is surrounding yourself with good people. You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Find positive and encouraging people to enrich your life.

3) Drop toxic people like it's a bad habit. They will poison your life and your mind, and drag you into the mud with them.