To be honest, I’m tired of giving 100 percent and receiving 50 percent. Quite frankly, it is exhausting putting time into something without getting any acknowledgement of your efforts.
In all honesty, I feel this pertains more so towards the relationships I have with others but not specifically romantic ones. I am the type of person who has a difficult time making secure, long lasting friendships. I have never known why I struggle with this but sometimes I think that it’s because I’m a difficult person to be friends with. Maybe I’m actually a horrible person, and all of my friends are too nice to tell me otherwise. Or perhaps I have a hard time recognizing when it is time to let go of a relationship.
Often times I will hold on to someone for as long as I possibly can out of fear of what will happen if I let go. It can be challenging to let someone go when you are afraid there will be no one left once you do. In these situations, it is important to realize that, sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to find the courage to let go of what you cannot change.
To those of you reading this who are having trouble accepting the fact that it is time to move on from someone you love or care about, I encourage you to take a step back and evaluate the situations this person has put you in. Do they make you feel valued? Can you say with total confidence that they are there for you through thick and thin? Are they making just as much of an effort as you are? If you answered “No” to any of these questions, it may be time to move on. I know how scary this may seem, but as I previously mentioned, sometimes you need to take a leap of faith and trust that you are going to make the right decision for yourself.
While it might be difficult to let go of a friendship you value, it is destructive being friends with someone who does not care about you or your friendship. It is okay if this person will always be in your heart. However, if their presence means sacrificing your happiness, then they should not always be in your life. When it comes to positive and healthy relationships, happiness is an aspect that should never be compromised. To those of you giving it your all and receiving the bare minimum, I applaud you for the efforts and sacrifices you have made to keep the spark alive.
I understand that college is a busy, stressful and overwhelming time for many of us. Sometimes the daily chaos causes us to forget to take a step back and appreciate the people we have in our lives. Nonetheless, this is not an excuse to treat our friends as if they do not matter. It is perfectly acceptable to want people in your life who make you feel loved and cherished. Please know that your actions should not go without acknowledgement or appreciation. I hope you are able to let go of the people who are hurting you. I hope you find better than what you are receiving. I hope you know that you are worth more than 50 percent.