I could never truly understand why the people we care for the most sometimes are the ones who tear us down. There’s something so cruel about not getting what you give. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how much you do for someone, it will never be enough for them. You may not realize it at first, but it is not your fault that you care more than they do. It is not your fault that they hurt you. It is not because you didn’t try hard enough, and it is not because you weren’t good enough. They simply couldn’t see the person in front of them fighting for them. They were blind to the fact that no matter how many times they ripped your heart out of your chest, you’d keep coming back to them simply because you cared far more than they would ever care for you.

I learned that heartbreak is good. Heartbreak is natural. Heartbreak makes you grow. Heartbreak made me into the person I am today. It taught me to be independent and to invest more time in caring and loving for myself. I finally learned to walk away from something if it isn’t making me happy. People always told me life was too short to be miserable and unhappy, and I never really processed that and took it to heart until I started feeling helpless. Life is far too short to try to fix something that is broken. If you aren’t happy, what are you doing? Walking around miserable, sad, and feeling taken advantage of? Why would you lessen the value of yourself? Why would you let someone make you feel vulnerable and inferior?

I started to finally realize that there was no point in putting back together the pieces that didn’t fit anymore. I had to start focusing on myself.

I want to thank the person who tried to break me. Since you tried to tear me down, I started loving myself more than I did before. I focused on myself instead of focusing on feeling empty. My emptiness soon filled with happiness and confidence. I forgot about the hurt and discovered what made me happy. Every day, I got a little bit stronger. I learned that I deserve way more than what I was given. I learned to love again. I found someone who cared and deserved the unconditional love I was trying to give. The sun started to shine a little brighter and I found someone who put the stars back in my sky. That will be something you can never take away from me.

Eliminate the toxicity in your life. Find the people who fill your days with happiness. Sometimes it is very hard to keep in mind that these toxic people who take advantage of your love will never change. I like to think people don’t just wake up one day and decide, “Hey, I think I’m going to break their heart continuously until they can’t take it anymore.” I don’t believe that, but I do believe people become so blind to their ignorant actions that it becomes a habit.

It is so important to know your worth. If you are not getting what you are giving, it might be time to step away. Always love yourself more. Never let someone take the sparkle out of your eyes for their own selfish desire. You deserve to be loved.

I want to thank the person who tried to break me. I let it hurt, I let it bleed, I let it heal, and I let it go. I’m still standing, and I always will be.