normalize saying “unfortunately you’re no longer a safe person for me and I refuse to continually sacrifice my nervous system to make you feel comfortable”
me remembering the time i lost my absolute mind over someone i knew for 3 months (we also never dated) just because the person was the first person to make me feel something after not feeling anything for so long
Sticking to no contact really helps your self confidence. You realize there isn’t a single person you can’t live without. You had a life before they existed in it, and you’ll have one after they’re gone. Their importance was only informed by your attention.
at some point, you have to accept that you can’t go back, and what happened to you is going to be with you for the rest of your life. but it’s still going to be okay.
You can tell a lot about a person by what they do after hurting you. Some apologize. Some reflect. Some change. And some will rewrite the entire story in their head just to avoid feeling guilty. Accountability is rare because protecting the ego is easier than becoming better.
i actually think "surface level" friendships are very healthy. not everyone in your life has to be your ride or die. some friends are for the gym. some are for going out. some are just for complaining about work or bureaucracy. when you stop expecting everyone to be your everything, the disappointment disappears. those deep convos and connections are for the 2-3 people closest to you