The Slowest way To Kill Someone

Value: the regard that something is held to deserve

In the song "Infidelity" Taylor Swift says, "You know there's many different ways that you can kill the one you love, the slowest way is never loving them enough."

I say, the slowest way to kill the one you love is by not truly seeing them. I've spent years in a relationship where I've felt unseen. It wasn't until recently that I realized that I was the one not seeing myself.

For too long I didn't see my own value. Maybe worse, I lost who I was. I got to a point where I no longer saw my true self. The problem with not seeing yourself is that then others likely don't see you either, at least not the you that you really are. When you shrink, hide, fold, bend, twist, cover, mask, and shift yourself, it is impossible to have the true version of you seen. If you aren't seen, you can't be valued. If you aren't valued, you can't be treated with the tenderness and respect you deserve.

As the true you slowly dwindles away, one of two things happen - you will either suffocate the you you truly are or the true you will burst out, no longer able to be contained.

Never stop seeing yourself. You were created for a very specific purpose. You are meant to shine, always. Value yourself first and you will not accept anything from anyone that devalues you. When you see yourself and know your value, you will require others to only give you what you deserve.

With Gratitude,