Walk Away From The Things And People That Drain Your Energy—Even If It Feels Too Hard

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“I’m going to let you in on a little secret about change.

Walking away from the things and people that drain your energy is one of the hardest things you can do.

Ever.

Even if that person or thing leaves you bruised and broken over and over again, making the decision to leave it behind and step towards a life that is more authentically you, is terrifying.

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Like leaves your palms sweaty, gives you a pit in your stomach, and sends your heart racing – terrifying.

You begin to worry about all the people who won’t understand.

You start a repetitive loop of all the ‘what if’ scenarios.

You decide it’s just not worth it – change would be too hard.

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But, sweet reader, I promise you it IS worth it.

All of the pain and fear and hard work of walking away from the life you know and walking towards the life you deserve is worth it.

I hope someday you find the courage to take the first step away from the hurt and turn your gaze to the horizon of possibility.

A beautiful horizon of possibility – that’s what exists for you once you decide to take your future and your happiness into your own hands and go after the things you want.

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I promise you there will be moments where you doubt your decision. There will be moments where you start to turn back towards the pain because the devil you know is greater than the devil you don’t know, right?

Remember this – there’s only one way to find out.

You owe it to yourself in those moments to keep moving forward.

Keep moving towards your goals and away from the painful past.

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Even when it’s hard. Even when it feels uncertain.

And someday, hopefully in the not too distant future, you will take a deep breath in for just a moment and catch a glimpse of the life you used to know, a glimpse of the shell of the person you used to be, and you will smile.

You will smile and notice your heart is light, you are surrounded by true support, and you are on the right path – all because you believed you were worthy and took that first step towards change and possibility.”

Woman sharing metaphor on perspective snaps a photo of overgrown weeds with water in the distant horizon
Courtesy of Jenni Brennan

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Jenni Brennan. You can follow her journey on FacebookInstagram, and her websiteSubmit your own story here, and be sure to subscribe to our free email newsletter for our best stories.

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Read more from Jenni here:

Next Time You Walk Into A Room And Panic About Someone There Not Liking You, Remember This Secret: It Doesn’t Matter

‘She helps me see hope in the chaos. She silently encourages me to be my true self. She reminds me I am worthy of love.’: Woman learns to embrace authentic self ‘without judgement’

‘After 13 months of family togetherness, I was alone.’: Mom talks life in the wake of the pandemic, ‘This is the new normal’

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Read more stories like this here:

‘I prayed for perspective because sometimes that’s the only way forward. I’m grateful to have these groceries.’: Woman urges small blessings are ‘something to celebrate’

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