Failed relationships are commonly looked at as something that you want to forget. It was a time of rejection, betrayal and heartbreak. This is how I perceive all of my past lovers. I've never had a clean breakup. I have always been the one broken up with, never the one doing the breaking.

I've been tossed around and treated like I'm not worth anything. I've given away my heart, only for it to be thrown away. I know what it's like to feel like you're not good enough to be in a relationship with anyone. It is thanks to my ex-lovers that I have felt that way. Even so, there is so much more that I wish to thank them for.

And so here is my letter to all of my past loves. It may seem a little short, but so was our relationship. You hurt me, but you didn't damage me. In fact, you made me stronger. And so, this one's for you.

Dear Ex-Lovers,

I want to thank you.

Thank you for hurting me then, so that I can be stronger now.

Thank you for pushing me away, so that I can find someone better for me.

Thank you for being an example of what not to look for in a relationship.

Thank you for helping me figure out what I want in a relationship.

Thank you for giving me experience so that I can go into my next relationship confident and relaxed.

Thank you for loving me for at least a short time, even though it wasn't enough.

Thank you for helping me understand that I can't find happiness in settling for anything less than ideal.

Thank you not wasting any more of my time.

Thank you for lowering my expectations in the most positive way possible.

Thank you for showing me that you are not what I need.

But above all, thank you for teaching me to love myself before others. Because I matter. And that's all that matters.

Sincerely,

A more confident me