For a long time, I believed that love and loyalty meant giving all of myself , my time, my energy, my heart,without limits. I was always the dependable one, the one people turned to when life got heavy. I gave, even when I had nothing left for myself. I showed up for others who barely noticed when I was drowning.
But somewhere along the line, I started to feel empty. And I realized something: most of the people I was pouring into never thought to pour back.
They loved the version of me that was useful. Not the tired version. Not the broken one. Not the version that needed help too.
And that broke me.
So I stopped.
Not out of bitterness, but out of survival. I realized I was loving people harder than I loved myself. I was being there for people who wouldn’t even cross a street for me, let alone match the energy I gave.
Now, I give with intention. I give to people who notice. Who care. Who reciprocate.
Because love isn’t meant to drain you,it’s supposed to fill you.
I’m not cold. I’m just careful now. I’ve learned that being a good person doesn’t mean being a doormat. It means knowing when to step back, and when to protect your peace.
Energy must be mutual. And if it’s not, I’ll let go with love,because I refuse to bleed for people who wouldn’t even offer a bandage.”
