Know Your Worth: Love Should Never Be One-Sided
Maya Angelou once said, “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.” This timeless truth speaks volumes about self-respect, emotional boundaries, and the courage it takes to walk away from imbalanced relationships.
Too often, we give our best to people who only offer us their leftovers. We invest emotionally, show up consistently, and wait for our love to be returned—only to find ourselves sidelined, waiting for attention that never fully arrives. That quiet heartbreak—the one where you realize you’re not being chosen—can erode your self-worth over time.
But here’s the truth: you deserve more than that. You deserve people who don’t hesitate to show up for you, who don’t keep you in the shadows while you place them in the center of your life. True connection isn’t about begging for affection—it’s about mutual recognition, respect, and love.
When we allow ourselves to be treated as an option, we slowly convince ourselves that scraps of love are enough. But real love never makes you guess. It doesn’t leave you wondering if you’re enough—it shows you that you are.
To change this cycle, we must start by valuing ourselves first. Take care of your heart. Invest in your growth, your peace, your healing. Choose people who choose you—consistently, willingly, joyfully.
And if you ever feel like you’re being kept as a backup plan, speak up. Ask the hard questions. If they can’t meet you where you are or honor your presence in their life, it’s okay to let go. Your worth isn’t defined by who stays—it’s defined by how fiercely you protect your own heart.
Life is too short to keep proving your value to someone who refuses to see it. Prioritize yourself. Set the standard. You are not a placeholder. You are the main story—and you deserve to be treated like it.
The Enduring Light of Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou, who gifted us this unforgettable quote, lived her life as a powerful example of resilience and dignity. Born in 1928, she endured trauma and racism early on, yet transformed her pain into poetry, activism, and art that moved the world.
Her voice spoke for the unheard and gave strength to the weary. In works like I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and Still I Rise, she reminded us all that we are not defined by our suffering, but by how we rise beyond it. Her legacy is a call to love ourselves boldly and without apology.
Words to Remember:
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“If you don’t get treated with the respect you deserve, walk away.” – Miya Yamanouchi
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“The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for.” – Maureen Dowd
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“Never lower your standards for someone who refuses to rise up to them.” – Anonymous
Let Maya’s message echo in your heart today: you are not an option. You are a priority. And it’s time the world saw you that way—starting with you.
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