SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE You were not meant for a life of continuous exhaustion. It's not normal to repeatedly feel undervalued and uncomfortable within your skin. Cut the cord from situations that leave you emotionally frail. You have the power to carve a new path for yourself. You allowed everyone else to thrive by biting your tongue and welcoming your soul to take the hit. Who was there for you when you were down and out? You will no longer apologize for prioritizing your needs. It is not selfish to require space to recharge. And your energy might appear harsh in this rebuilding era because when you have allowed others to get away with too much, a change in dynamic feels unnatural at first. But let this new identity solidify. Standing up for your rights does not make you less kind. Even loyalty has its limits when devotion is taken for granted. Even the most generous of people have to learn their limits.