A strong woman knows what she is worth and what she deserves in a relationship. But more importantly, she knows what she will not entertain in her partner.
Whether you’re in a relationship or single, as a strong woman you don't let anyone define you. That’s why you don't depend on anyone for approval. This gives you the freedom to leave the second you feel disrespected. Little do people understand that you give them a long rope because you are kind, not stupid. And when you walk away from a relationship, you’re gone forever. You know that love is not the only thing that holds a relationship together.
“…even if love has some addiction-like qualities, healthy love is likely to involve other qualities as well, such as respect, trust, and commitment, qualities that keep a relationship strong even on those days when excitement and passion are not at the forefront,” explains Juliana Breines, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at Brandeis University, on Psychology Today.
You know that passion is what brings two people together, but what keeps them together is the respect they are willing to show each other. And when a strong woman feels respect is in short supply, she leaves without a second thought. Here are seven moments in a relationship that you will not let pass without taking a huge step.
If you don’t see a real commitment in the relationship, you don’t wait to be dragged along waiting for them to show you that they, too want the real deal. You’re not going to wait around listening to their endless excuses or blatant lies, but you can see right past them. If they can’t put in the same effort and time as you do, you take that as your cue to end things.
Every relationship will have fights and disagreements, even the healthiest ones. But when you see that the person tries to attack you instead of attacking the problem, you know that it’s their way of manipulating you. If they don’t value your opinions, criticize what you have to say, and use ways to destruct your self-esteem, those are the kind of arguments you should stay clear from, according to a report in the American Psychological Association. And that’s exactly what you do.
It’s your resilience and self-reliance that makes you stand out from the crowd. And that is also why you don’t wait for people to show up or stick around by the phone waiting for them to call. You have enough self-love and zest for life to keep yourself occupied. Waiting for one person who can’t keep up their end of the relationship is not worth your time.
Despite all the heartbreaking experiences you’ve been through, you still choose to remain kind to the people around you. But a few people often forget that you choose to be kind, not because you are weak but because you value human connections. The people who think they can take advantage of you always end up regretting it. You show them that if their only agenda is to use you, then it’ll be a matter of moments before they are left alone in the relationship. Although your heart is full of love, you don’t let it be misused by people for their selfish needs.
When you’re in a relationship, you’re ready to give it your all. Whether it is your time, affection, emotional support, or practical advice, you are there when they need you. But you don't buy into that "give all and expect nothing in return" philosophy. Your love is unconditional, but you ain't nobody's fool. When you’re willing to go the extra mile, it’s only fair that you expect them to meet you halfway as well. If you see that your love isn't reciprocated with equal respect and kindness, you show them your fierce side; a side that lets them know that you want them out of love, not need them out of desperation.
You don’t enter a relationship expecting the person to be perfect. You’re willing to look past their flaws and love them for the person they are. However, if you notice how they often bring up your flaws, exaggerate your weakness, or try to change you to fit their idea of perfect, you are not the kind to give in and feel sorry for yourself. You have worked really hard and healed much to get to this point in your life. You know no one is worth losing yourself for. If they can’t love you for who you are, they will never be able to give you the love that you deserve.
You don’t easily give up. You always give every relationship a fighting chance and you hold on until the very end. But when it comes to a point where you feel alone in the relationship or you feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of toxicity, you know it’s not worth sticking around. There might have been days where you put away the pain to try once again, but you know that it’s over when you’ve run out of chances to give. You’re not going to carry the pain of a bad relationship. You tried, but if it’s not meant to be, you know it’s your time to walk away. And you do it with your dignity and grace in place.
Disclaimer: This article is based on insights from different sources. The views expressed here are those of the writer.
References:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-love-and-war/201303/5-ways-end-bad-relationship-good
