Dear Boy or Man-child,
Here’s the funny thing about today’s hookup culture, even when its “no strings attached” or “friends with benefits,” and even times I’m actually not falling for you romantically in the slightest, we’re still in some sort of relationship.
I’ve trusted you with a part of myself, and while I didn’t expect feelings and romance and lovey-dovey stuff, because I really didn’t want it, I expected your respect, trust and communication. And you blew it. In some cases, thanks to my own stupidity. You blew the trust, you disrespected me, you took the coward’s way out and didn’t communicate.
And I have to say thank you.
In you breaking me down, I built myself back up and realized a couple things. First of all, I deserve to be treated well, to be respected. And while there may be more guys who prefer to be douches than gentlemen, and while I’m a very impatient person, I know I deserve to wait for the good guys instead of settling for the booty caller.
The one or two guys who’ve treated me well so far were such a change because they were just that — decent. But I loved how they treated me, and more importantly, how much better I felt about myself. I felt that I was being treated in a way I deserved and I know I can’t settle for anything less.
I also have to say thank you because being hurt made me stronger. It made me more confident, more self-assured, unafraid to take charge and call the shots and be the one confident in a relationship. Strong women are nothing to be afraid of, and if guys have an issue with it, they’re not meant to be with me.
So truly, boys, thank you. Thank you for every unreturned text, every blow off, every joke at my expense, every moment of disrespect. For every night I blasted Taylor Swift, and my roommates gave me Ben and Jerry’s and trash talked you. Those nights sucked, they truly did, but I know I’m better for it. In thinking you could use me, screw me over, I found myself, and a far stronger, far better, far more confident version of me who can see through the lies and the players.
So, really. Thank you.
Best,
The Girl You Used.
