Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking a lot about the relationships I am in, the relationships I have been in and the relationships I want to be in. I have had some toxic relationships in my life and I have recently come to the realization that it is not something that I was comfortable living in nor something that I want to be in ever again. Whether it is with a friend or a significant other, I firmly believe that you should feel positively about the connections you have with a partner or a peer.
So many times have I seen a fellow friend (myself included) remain in a toxic relationship because of underlying insecurities or the fear of rejection. I have been put in this situation numerous time throughout my life, and honestly, it feels like shit; but recently, I have realized something. Everyone has value. Everyone is beautiful, charming, and talented and no one has the authority to tell you otherwise. You can’t let someone who, like you, has their own fears and underlying demons define who YOU are or who you WILL be in the future. We are very much grounded in the significance of our past experiences and I don’t know about anyone else, but I want to be able to reflect on positive relationships I’ve had in the past that will help further grow my future ones.
We can’t be selling ourselves short or lessening our value of life for the benefit of another. I often build my life around the relationships I create, which many times, becomes something self destructive and harmful to my own happiness.
It is a healthy reminder to know that we all have a choice. No one is keeping you in the toxic relationships you may find yourself in other than yourself. We are humans who have as much worth as the next and people need to stop diminishing themselves. College is a place where everyone is free to make their own choices and decide what is best for THEM. and we should use that opportunity as much as we can.
I know that I needed this reminder this week especially and I hope that if you needed a similar reminder, take it to heart.