Oh, the old days! I can’t help but laugh a bit when I remember how I used to crave validation from the men I dated. Honestly, it was almost comical how much my mood hinged on their actions, or the lack thereof. Every little thing they did, or didn’t do, was like a weather vane for my emotions. And let’s not even start on the breadcrumbs. Oh, those delicious breadcrumbs! I gobbled them up, happy just to be in their presence. Looking back, it’s a bit embarrassing, but hey, we live and learn, right?
There are times now when I receive messages that make me want to reach through the screen and give a good shake. Reading sentences dripping with desperation, like, ‘But Meli, I really love him, and I don’t want to lose them. I can’t live without them, Meli, they are my world!’ This always saddens me. I wish I could hold up a mirror to these wonderful souls, showing them just how amazing they are. But sometimes, you can’t make people see what they refuse to see. It’s a hard truth, but a significant other is often just a reflection of our inner state. They won’t see our beauty until we see, recognize, and accept it ourselves. They won’t pursue us if we don’t view ourselves as worth pursuing.
Now, thinking about that old me sometimes makes me queasy. It’s like watching a movie where you already know the plot is a bit ridiculous. But you know what? I’m kind of grateful for that version of me. She was doing her best with what she knew. Plus, she set the stage for the fabulous person I am today – someone who doesn’t just wait for breadcrumbs but bakes her own bread! That’s right, no more waiting for scraps of attention. I’ve learned my worth, and guess what? It’s not determined by someone else’s validation.
It’s funny how things change. Now, I find my own validation in the smallest things – a good hair day, nailing a presentation with my clients, or just being able to afford treating my family to wonderful trips or things. Life is too short to live based on someone else’s attention meter. So, to anyone who’s still in the breadcrumb-gathering phase, remember, you’re the whole loaf, honey! You don’t need to wait for someone to sprinkle you with attention. Go out there, find your joy, and let no one, and I mean no one, dictate your worth.
So, here’s to growth, to baking our own bread (literally or figuratively), and to knowing that the only validation that truly matters is the one that comes from within. To the old me, thanks for the memories and the lessons, but I’ve got it from here. And to you, reading this, remember: you’re more than enough, just as you are. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You’re your own greatest love story. ❤️