Stop spending your time trying to force a friend to hang out or a partner to be romantic. Whether they are not capable or simply don’t want to, you are still just robbing yourself of time and a different viable connection that is out there waiting for you.
So, you have the quit waiting for people to meet you at your level– whether that be in family relationships, friendships, or romantic endeavors.
The longer you wait to cut them out of your life, the more familiar you will become with being a second priority or the back burner option. At the same time, you will feel like the weight of the entire relationship is on your shoulders– wondering what would happen if you stopped texting someone or if you would be forgotten if you did not relentlessly show up enough for the both of you.
You may even mistake this kind of relationship for love when, at the end of the day, it is simply an attachment.
And if you are attached to someone who continues to disregard your effort in a relationship, you are doing yourself a major disservice and need to let go.
This is not an indication that you failed or caused the dissolution of the relationship. On the contrary, it is a reflection of your own self-awareness– that you were brave enough to recognize an issue and make a change.
You deserve to surround yourself with people who show you love, care, and trust, not those who drain your energy– which is the most important commodity in your life.
What you put your energy towards every single day will ultimately define your existence. Stop staring at your texts and waiting for a response message, and quit hanging out on social media– looking at places you were not invited to.
Instead, recognize these anxiety-perpetuating habits and cut them loose. Pour your energy into your own interests, hobbies, or self-care, and realize that you need to protect your sanity at all costs.
Yes, it’s not good to be too guarded– never letting people in and allowing potential new relationships to flourish. But, at the same time, some amount of reservation is key and will protect you from damaging relationships that only leave you feeling disregarded and unfulfilled in the end.
So, every day, remind yourself that you are not solely responsible for relationships. It takes two to tango.