This is for you

the person who gives and gives and gives, the bleeding heart, the one who cares and feels so deeply. Do not let the world tell you that you are 'too much,' not enough. Do not let people come into your life who are unwilling to match the your bravery that seeps through your bones, who are too afraid to stay.

Remember this: You owe no one an apology for caring, for showing up, for fighting for the things and people you love. But if you find yourself bending over backwards for people who would never do the same, if you find yourself running in circles just to try to be on someone’s ‘good side’ or hold their attention—stop. For you are not being appreciated, but taken advantage of.

Caring for people is not wrong; it’s when we stop caring for ourselves that hurts us. We can love with all we have, but we must value ourselves, too, and even more so.

We can be selfless in our actions, but not self-sacrificing. We can give, but we must receive, too. We can outpour, but not for the people who simply take and walk away.

You do not have to live on either side of the spectrum either selfish or selfless you can exist somewhere in the middle. You can give, but still value yourself enough to know when to walk away; you can care, but still keep yourself a priority.

Stop thinking your worth is dependent upon how much you give.

Because a big heart is not measured quantitatively. Your love is apparent, not something you have to prove.