Know When to Leave the Table
Nina Simone once offered a timeless truth: “You have to learn to get up from the table when love is no longer being served.” In just a few words, she captured the difficult but necessary courage it takes to walk away from something that no longer nurtures the heart.
Love is not just a feeling—it’s the nourishment that sustains us emotionally and spiritually. Whether in a romantic bond, a family tie, or a long-standing friendship, there comes a point when absence of care, respect, or connection leaves us starved for something deeper.
Yet many remain seated out of fear. Fear of loneliness. Fear of change. Fear of being “too much” or “not enough.” So we stay, making excuses, hoping things might return to how they once were. But slowly, invisibly, we shrink.
Leaving isn’t about giving up. It’s about reclaiming your worth. Rising from that table is not an act of bitterness—it’s an act of self-love. You are not walking away from love; you’re walking toward the kind of love that honors who you are.
And yes, it’s hard. There’s grief in letting go, and bravery in walking toward the unknown. But in doing so, you make room for healing, growth, and relationships that meet you with the same energy you give.
As poet Rupi Kaur writes, “i want to be full on my own.” You don’t need to beg for scraps when you were made for abundance.
Nina Simone’s Uncompromising Legacy
Nina Simone lived her truth. Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in 1933, she was more than a legendary voice—she was a force of resistance, dignity, and uncompromising self-respect.
Her songs became the pulse of the Civil Rights Movement, echoing the pain and hope of a generation. “Mississippi Goddam” was her musical cry against injustice, and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” became an anthem of empowerment.
But Simone’s greatest power wasn’t just in her voice. It was in her refusal to settle. She didn’t perform for segregated audiences. She didn’t compromise her beliefs for profit. She walked away from any table that denied her respect—and did so with fierce grace.
Her life reminds us: walking away isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s knowing when love has gone cold and choosing to honor yourself enough to move on.
Words That Echo the Journey
“Love doesn’t begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up.” – James Baldwin
“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.” – Mother Teresa
“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” – Maya Angelou
So if you find yourself seated at a table where love is no longer served, don’t be afraid to stand. Walk away with your head high. Your heart deserves more—and you are allowed to seek it.