I love how the focus here isn’t just on romantic relationships. For me some of the hardest relationships to walk away from are friendships I’ve had for years, or family/work relationships that don’t serve me anymore. And these are incredibly difficult as well, because you feel obligated to make them work.
Thank you for this, always love reading your work.
i cried :') this post hit the spot. 6 months ago, i walked away from someone that i feel comfortable the most. it was so painful and so hard. nevertheless, i did it for my own peace.
Cool essay. and but, right outta the shute.. isn't the "people who make you question your worth" bit, a bit funny? how can another person make the other think or feel or question worth or anything 🤔 thinking the whole conversation could have been solved right there
"If your presence can't add value to my life. Your absence won't make a difference." I don't know the author of this quote, and at the same time, it is facts.
When I finally walked away from two toxic and co-dependent friends, it was so hard. I realized how much the toxicity was a creature comfort. 2 years later, I'm so relieved I put my foot down and finally said, "enough."
I often think about how we've normalised walking away from people. It's weird.
Sure, you need to prioritise your own health and if someone is draining the life out of you then change is more than warranted. But why does this change need to be so cutthroat? Can't we have conversations, discuss what's not working for us and them, set boundaries, understand both perspectives?
If we don't even attempt this before an ending, can we call ourselves a good friend or partner?
I can think of so many examples where a person close to me has hurt me, or where I have hurt them. I'm so glad that neither one of us simply decided it was enough there and then. Rather we talk about it. Understand where it's come from, what's going on, how can we make it better. And through that process we create a stronger bond.
Nobody is perfect. No relationship is perfect either (Now ofc I am definitely not saying you should keep coming back if the other is abusive in any way).
Totally agree. I don’t do “walk away”… we talk things through. But for the first time, I’m in a position where I’m torn between talking things through and walking away. It’s a tough one. Especially when you’ve tried and keep trying to understand things, know what’s going on. People deserve chances after all.
Hi, I am going through a similar experience. I feel a contradiction between walking away from a relationship and questioning myself for not trying to do more. It feels like there is a very fine line between walking away from a relationship for your peace and doing it because you don't know how to have uncomfortable conversations.
This hurts me because I am the toxic person. I have a lot of mental illnesses I’m trying to get in control of. I feel so bad when I struggle and others get hurt. But it’s a consequence I suppose….
I love how the focus here isn’t just on romantic relationships. For me some of the hardest relationships to walk away from are friendships I’ve had for years, or family/work relationships that don’t serve me anymore. And these are incredibly difficult as well, because you feel obligated to make them work.
Thank you for this, always love reading your work.
i cried :') this post hit the spot. 6 months ago, i walked away from someone that i feel comfortable the most. it was so painful and so hard. nevertheless, i did it for my own peace.
thank you for this article hasif :)
It’s hardest to walk away when the people who drain you are the same ones you call family.
this is a good one
A great post. Sometimes walking away is just protecting yourself
You can leave the party without letting them know......
I did that.
Cool essay. and but, right outta the shute.. isn't the "people who make you question your worth" bit, a bit funny? how can another person make the other think or feel or question worth or anything 🤔 thinking the whole conversation could have been solved right there
"If your presence can't add value to my life. Your absence won't make a difference." I don't know the author of this quote, and at the same time, it is facts.
im learning this 💕
Oath. Oath. Oath. We are manipulated into staying. Conveniently, by people who don’t want to change.
Walking away is still very hard for me but it is very worth it.
First thing I read at 8am Monday morning - the sign I needed ❤️
When I finally walked away from two toxic and co-dependent friends, it was so hard. I realized how much the toxicity was a creature comfort. 2 years later, I'm so relieved I put my foot down and finally said, "enough."
A very important essay. Thank you.
I often think about how we've normalised walking away from people. It's weird.
Sure, you need to prioritise your own health and if someone is draining the life out of you then change is more than warranted. But why does this change need to be so cutthroat? Can't we have conversations, discuss what's not working for us and them, set boundaries, understand both perspectives?
If we don't even attempt this before an ending, can we call ourselves a good friend or partner?
I can think of so many examples where a person close to me has hurt me, or where I have hurt them. I'm so glad that neither one of us simply decided it was enough there and then. Rather we talk about it. Understand where it's come from, what's going on, how can we make it better. And through that process we create a stronger bond.
Nobody is perfect. No relationship is perfect either (Now ofc I am definitely not saying you should keep coming back if the other is abusive in any way).
Totally agree. I don’t do “walk away”… we talk things through. But for the first time, I’m in a position where I’m torn between talking things through and walking away. It’s a tough one. Especially when you’ve tried and keep trying to understand things, know what’s going on. People deserve chances after all.
Hi, I am going through a similar experience. I feel a contradiction between walking away from a relationship and questioning myself for not trying to do more. It feels like there is a very fine line between walking away from a relationship for your peace and doing it because you don't know how to have uncomfortable conversations.
Aww my dear. And yes there’s a fine line between the two.
At the end, peace is what we should fight for. If the relationship brings you peace then stay… if not, you walk away to protect yourself.
Thank you for sharing this. So much of it resonated with me, and your words were exactly what I needed to hear right now.
This hurts me because I am the toxic person. I have a lot of mental illnesses I’m trying to get in control of. I feel so bad when I struggle and others get hurt. But it’s a consequence I suppose….