I used to be the girl who stuck around when a guy treated me like crap. I used to put up with his shady past because I thought I was the exception and write off lies as something he wouldn’t do again. But I’m not that girl anymore. After the last guy, the one that finally broke me (and my heart along with it), I realized I’d had enough. Now when a guy doesn’t treat me the way he should, I’m out. And when he realizes he messed up, I’ll be long gone. Here’s why:
- I deserve more than that. A big part of finding the right love is realizing what you deserve and what you don’t. Having the confidence to walk away from someone because they don’t know how to treat you right is hard, but it’s so worth it.
- I’m no longer afraid to be alone. I used to cling on to a guy no matter how he acted just because I didn’t know how to be alone. I’d allow him to walk all over me instead of facing my own reality. Now that I know how to stand on my own, I never have to stay with someone who takes me for granted.
- There will be another you shortly. As Queen B says, “I could have another you in a minute” — and is she ever wrong? There will always be more guys, so if I’m dating one who decides to act like an asshat, it’s over. I’d rather wait for something better to come along.
- I know my own worth. Confidence is everything when it comes to leaving a bad relationship. I know what I want and what I deserve from life and love, so why would I ever accept anything less? I refuse to let a guy diminish my worth or even make me question it, and one who tries isn’t worth my time.
- I can’t be truly happy if I’m in a crappy relationship. Devoting my love, energy and time to someone who doesn’t appreciate it is exhausting — I know, I’ve been there one too many times before. There’s no way to live a truly fulfilling life while in a bad relationship. That negative energy will find it’s way into every other aspect of my life, guaranteed, and I won’t let that happen again.
- I need an equal, not someone who drags me down with them. If I’m in a relationship with a guy, I consider it a mutual agreement to better each other. I’m not going to stick around for someone who pulls me down when he should be lifting me up. If we bring out the worst in each other, we’re obviously not meant to be together.
- I’d rather be single than be treated terribly. Yes, sometimes being single can suck — you have no one to cuddle with and you actually have to try for sex. It’s not the best situation in the world, but let’s be real — anything beats being treated like crap.
- I’ve learned to appreciate my independence. During the time I was single, I learned to love having the freedom to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. In a new relationship, it’s a given that I’m going to have to give up some of that independence, I plan on making sure it’s worth it. I’ll always have my own life and will only date guys who have their own thing going on too, but the places where we meet need to line up or I’m out.
- I just don’t have time for childish drama. I’m a twenty-something working girlboss trying to make it… need I say more? The playground games and immature BS can GTFO — I have bigger and better things going on and I won’t let a guy who doesn’t know how to be a good boyfriend — or even a good human being — distract me from that.
- I’m no longer willing to settle. After a few (incredibly) bad dating experiences, I’ve set my standards sky high. Because I know what I want, I’m not afraid to be picky. Settling would mean accepting that I am not worthy of great love and I’m not willing to do that.
