For years, I've been okay with being pushed aside and helping others before even thinking about taking care of myself. Whether it be physically or mentally, anyone else's needs were put before mine because I cared more about other people than I did my own. And that got me to care for people who ended up taking advantage of that kindness and my care for others.

That got me to answer every phone call at 2 o'clock in the morning, and the next day all my advice being thrown out the window, and my heart stepped on for the hundredth time.

I'm twenty years old and I've finally cut some of the most toxic people I've met out of my life for good. I never knew how much it would sting. I didn't know how truly sad and hurt I would feel until I chose to do what was best for me.

For years, I was waiting for the right opportunity to finally let go and move on with my life, and to finally forgive, and I had only wished that I did it sooner. I always cared for others before myself, and now I will still care for others to those that do not take advantage of my love and I know now how important it is to love yourself. To truly love yourself.

I am not okay being walked on, walked over, pushed aside, left behind, stepped on, etc. I know I deserve nothing but love and that is what I strive to give myself and to surround myself with, or I will have to let the toxicity go.

I guess, in a way, I also let another toxic person out of my life: a part of myself. It's good to let her go and to move on, and grow to be a better woman/daughter/sister/girlfriend/friend/person every day.

I'm no longer okay with being treated the way I was, and to myself, I apologize.

To others who I should have listened to, I apologize. I'm happy to say that I love who I am today and I will forever on be surrounded by love and focus on loving myself.

I now realize my worth and I hope that if you're struggling with how you're treated, that you realize your worth and know how special you are, too.