Growing up, I would’ve described myself as an insecure person.

I always felt as though I didn’t fit in, that I was different than other kids; I think that where my insecurities truly began. I always did everything I could to appear “normal” and even stepped away from who I truly was as a person to seem popular and cool.

I wanted to be friends with everyone, and when these “friends” would walk out of my life, I was completely devastated. I couldn’t understand why people didn’t like me, or why everyone in my life had to walk out on me and leave. I always blamed myself, thinking it was something I had done to upset them.

What I’m now learning is, having other people’s opinions of me determine my self-worth was only hurting me.

Now, as a more confident and free-spirited young woman, I’ve had a lot of people hurt me, and a lot of people walk out of my life. But more importantly, I’ve worked hard to learn the hard truth that not every person you lose is a loss. Even though it still hurts when people leave, I realize that they’re really the ones losing the battle.

I lost someone who didn’t care enough about me to stay in my life when they lost someone who did care and would’ve given them the world.

So to all the people that have walked out on me, I want to tell you that I no longer miss you. Instead, I want to thank you for helping me grow as a person and gain my confidence back. Though losing you was hard, you left for a reason, whatever it may be.

All I know is that it didn’t break your heart into a million pieces leaving me, then why should it do the same to mine?

It’s not fair to hurt so bad over someone who doesn’t feel the same way about you, and who wants to be in your life, so thank you for realizing that and walking away, making room for more love and support from those who truly do care.

Since you’ve walked out of my life, I’ve had to rebuild my walls and grow from within them. Except for this time, thanks to you, I built the walls out of brick instead of paper, because you’ve allowed me to realize how much strength I’ve had hidden within me this whole time. You leaving caused me to depend on myself instead of you, and even though it may have been tough, it has made me tougher.

So to all the people that have walked out, thank you for everything you have done for me, and if you ever decide one day to miss me, please don’t come back, because I no longer miss you.