One of the most important lessons I’ve learned, and I’ve learned it the hard way, is to invest your time, effort, and resources in the right people. For a long time, I thought that being generous with my time and energy meant spreading myself thin, offering help and support to everyone around me, and trying to be there for every person who asked for it. I believed that showing up for people, even if they didn’t always show up for me, was the right thing to do. I thought I was being kind and selfless. But over time, I realized that not everyone I invested in valued me in the same way, and not everyone had the same intentions or the same level of care in return.
It took me quite a while to understand that not all relationships are equal, and that investing in the wrong people—people who don’t appreciate or respect your time, energy, and resources—can drain you. It leaves you exhausted, disappointed, and sometimes even bitter. I spent years pouring into relationships that weren’t reciprocated, offering my heart to people who didn’t value it, and giving my time to situations that never brought me peace or fulfillment. I would bend over backward for people who, in the end, wouldn’t even notice the effort I was putting in. And when I needed support in return, I realized that I was often left standing alone.
That’s when I started to shift my perspective. I realized that not every relationship is worth the same level of investment. The people who truly matter—the ones who love you, respect you, and appreciate your presence—are the ones who deserve your time, your effort, and your resources. These are the people who will give back what they receive, who will show up for you when you need them, and who will help you grow and become the best version of yourself. They will lift you up, not drag you down. They will inspire you, not drain you.
I’ve learned that sometimes, it’s okay to walk away from relationships that no longer serve you or bring you joy. It’s okay to stop investing in people who continuously take without giving back. It’s not selfish to protect your energy and invest it in the people who truly deserve it. And when you do, you’ll find that the right people will not only bring you peace, but they will also encourage you to grow, push you to be better, and help you navigate life’s challenges with love and understanding.
I now believe that time is one of the most precious things we have, and once it’s gone, we can never get it back. So, it’s important to be intentional about who you share it with. It’s not about being exclusive or shutting people out, but rather about knowing where your energy is best spent. When you invest in the right people, those relationships will nourish you in ways you never expected.
At the end of the day, you only have so much time, so much energy, and so many resources to give. It’s worth remembering that not everyone is worthy of your investment, but when you find the people who are, it makes all the difference. The right people will always make you feel valued, loved, and appreciated—without you having to constantly prove your worth. And that, in itself, is the kind of investment that’s truly priceless.
