There comes a time in life when chasing pavements feels like a waste of energy. I’ve reached that point. I no longer have time to run after things that don’t serve me, people who don’t value me, or love that only leaves me empty. Instead, I’ve learned to appreciate the real ones—the people who have stayed, the ones who never asked me to change, the ones who see my worth even when I forget it myself.
For so long, I searched for “the one,” believing that love was something I had to find outside of myself. I ran in circles, hoping someone would make me feel whole, only to realize that in my pursuit, I was losing myself. There was a moment when I looked in the mirror and no longer recognized the person staring back at me. Who was I? What had I become? I thought I was giving love freely, but the truth hit me hard—how could I give something I didn’t even have for myself?
Self-love isn’t just a cliché; it’s a necessity. If I don’t love myself, how can I expect others to love me the way I deserve? If I don’t see my own worth, why would anyone else? It took me a long time to understand this, and honestly, it wasn’t an easy lesson. My stubbornness held me back. I ignored the red flags, silenced my intuition, and convinced myself that I needed to keep searching, keep proving my worth to people who never saw it in the first place.
Then came the realization—the gut-wrenching, soul-crushing truth. It hit me like a punch to the face, knocking the air out of my lungs. And all I could do was cry. Cry for the time I wasted. Cry for the love I gave so freely to those who didn’t deserve it. Cry for the version of myself I had abandoned in the process. It was painful, but necessary.
But here’s the thing about rock bottom—it gives you solid ground to rebuild. I picked myself up, piece by piece, and found my way again. I learned to love myself, to value my own time, energy, and emotions. I set boundaries. I stopped settling. And most importantly, I made a promise to myself—I will never let anyone mislead me again.
So, forgive me if I ask you to try harder this time. If you want a place in my life, you’ll have to earn it. I am no longer giving myself away so easily. Precious things are not found on every street corner; they are rare, valuable, and worth the effort. And I am one of those things.