Love, But Not at Any Cost

Love is beautiful. There is something about seeing people in love, witnessing love in action, and feeling love in its many forms: the romantic, familial, and the deep, unwavering kind found in true friendships. It is easy to get swept up in the idea of love, to admire it, to give it freely, and to believe that love alone is enough to hold everything together.

But love is not just about giving. It is also about receiving. It is about making sure that the love you surround yourself with is one that nurtures, not one that drains. Too often, people settle for the idea of love rather than love itself. They accept crumbs, hold on to people who do not hold them back, and convince themselves that inconsistency is normal when it leaves them feeling hollow.

Love should be kind, intentional, and safe. It should not be something you have to beg for. It is not selfish to expect to be loved in return. It is not unreasonable to walk away when love starts to feel like a burden rather than a home. Choosing yourself does not mean you love others any less; it simply means you refuse to accept a version of love that makes you smaller.

So love deeply. Love wholeheartedly. But do not let the idea of love keep you tied to places and people who do not love you the way you deserve. Love should never cost you your sense of self.

All my love,

Olamide from MANI