06/05/2025
What Love Isn’t
Sometimes when we’re hurting, lonely, or vulnerable, we can confuse certain things for love — but real love is never these things:
Love is not controlling who you talk to, where you go, or how you dress.
Love is not isolating you from your friends, family, or support system — making you move away or cut ties.
Love is not constant criticism disguised as “just being honest.”
Love is not attacking your core values, beliefs, or sense of identity.
Love is not controlling what you spend, limiting access to money, or using finances as a tool of control.
Love is not making you feel small so they can feel bigger.
Love is not walking on eggshells, afraid of triggering their anger or coldness.
Love is not being blamed for their bad moods, mistakes, or cruelty.
Love is not being held responsible for fixing their mental health struggles or addictions.
Love is not excusing hurtful behavior because of “what they’ve been through.”
Love is not sacrificing your own needs, boundaries, or well-being to keep the peace.
Love is not threats, silent treatment, or guilt trips to keep you in line.
Love is not forcing you to prove your worth, again and again.
Love is not gaslighting you — making you doubt your own memory, reality, or feelings.
If someone really loves you, they want you to be the best version of yourself.
They want you to have positive, healthy relationships with family and friends.
They want you to feel safe, supported, and free — not controlled or diminished.
If you’re constantly blamed, drained, confused, or made to feel like you’re disappearing — that’s not love.
You deserve kindness, respect, safety, and to feel fully accepted for who you are. Real love supports, uplifts, and takes responsibility — it does not break you down or make you abandon yourself.
If you’re in a situation that feels wrong or hurts more than it heals, please reach out for help. You are not alone, and you are worth so much more. 🙏❤️