In my 20s, I held onto friendships and relationships out of fear—fear of being alone, of having a small circle, of not being “chosen.” Even when connections felt off, I convinced myself that a full social circle—even if some connections drained me—was better than having a small, quiet one.
But now, in my 30s, I see things differently. I’ve learned that real connection isn’t about quantity; it’s about quality. I no longer chase people or force relationships that no longer fit, and I’ve found peace in letting go of things that were no longer serving me.
I’m curious: how did you navigate this shift? Did you experience the same fear of losing people, and how did you come to terms with letting go?
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Initially I was super afraid of being alone, but I continuously reminded myself of two things:
I deserve people in my life who make me feel seen and loved, and I don’t have to put other’s needs and preferences above my own to get that love. I want people in my life who love me for who I am, not what I do for them.
I had to make space for new, better friendships, and the only way to do that was by getting rid of the old ones. (This one feels super scary, but I’m glad I trusted that there were people who were better aligned with me somewhere out there).