i didn't leave because

i stopped loving you

i left because the longer

i stayed the less

i loved myself

I have seen her break. I have seen her cry. I have seen her scream. I saw her so lost in you that she could not find herself. Somewhere in the brewing storm of it all, she still existed. Then, she left. She crawled and scraped her way from you. All of this was not for lack of love. She loved you deeply, but decided to love herself more.

i had to leave

i was tired of

allowing you to

make me feel

anything less

than whole

She began to question herself. What was she doing wrong? Was she being crazy? The doubts grew over her mind like vines up a wall. She somehow believed she actually needed you. Then, she cut the vines. She slashed through them and let her mind be free. She is completely, utterly whole all on her own.

accept that you deserve more

than painful love

life is moving

the healthiest thing

for your heart is

to move with it

She romanticized the drama of it all. She thought that's what love was supposed to be. She held onto everything she fought so hard to leave. Then, one day she chose the future. She allowed herself to move forward and feel happy without him. She finally learned that love does not have to hurt, and letting go is only the beginning of her new life.

This was not simply a breakup. It was a battle for her heart and mind.

All portions in italics are excerpts from "milk and honey" by Rupi Kaur