Sometimes you have to leave, not by choice, but as the only option left

As Lana said,

"I had to leave".

"When you know, you know. It's time, it's time to go".

When it becomes disrespectful you have to take your own hand and leave. Or hold a friend's hand, a pet's paw, a petal of a flower or a leaf from a tree. And leave.

Because leaving sometimes means staying with yourself and not getting lost in actions that erode your peace and your virtues. Because sometimes it doesn't feel like you're leaving because you want to, but because you have no other choice. Because staying would mean losing yourself, not taking care of yourself, not protecting yourself, not loving yourself. Sometimes they leave you no other options; the only thing left for you is to leave.

Everyone teaches you to fight, but what happens when you don't know when to give up?

When you believe and believe, and you wait and wait, for change, for a sliver of respect, of love.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm a big advocate for not giving up, for building change, for dreaming big and not losing hope in others or anything else.

But what happens when your knees are numb from being on the ground for so long? When your fingers sting just from the caress of the breeze? When another wound on your back bears the name of someone you hold close (or inside) your heart?

At that moment you have to fight, but fight for yourself.

Because you deserve eyes that light up when they see you, a table where you're welcome, coffee with the perfect temperature and sweetness (just the way you like it), a roof over your head to protect you from the rain, a house where you don't have to walk on tiptoe, friendships that make you giggle and not trigger a fight or flight response, consensual sex filled with kisses on the tip of the nose, people who see you through all the walls or masks you've built, clear and unambiguous connections, a kitchen where dishes aren't broken in arguments, a job where you're not bullied, someone who hugs you because they love you and not to stab you in the back.

So yes, fight and don't give up. But if building the life you deserve means leaving certain places, then yes, without a doubt, leave.

I'll leave too, I'll leave all the places that harden me instead of softening me.