Life taught me how to survive without asking for help, without depending on anyone to come and save me.  I wiped my own tears and carried my own burdens all these years.  I picked myself up when I was rock bottom and carried on when I felt I couldn’t go on.  I always hoped my people would show up for me, but many didn’t, so I had no choice but to show up for myself. I took care of me, I became my own provider, my own strength, I got on with my business and little by little I created my own peace and built my own stability out of the chaos that people left behind when they walked away.  

I didn’t always want to be independent but through all the betrayal and the let downs from the people I loved the most, independence became the thing that saved me. Now, I love being alone, there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely.  I don’t feel lonely anymore, I love my own company. There’s strength in silence, freedom in peace, and beauty in the ability to live life on my own terms, without explanations, without permission.

I went through hell and I came out alive but a different version of who I used to be.  I became someone stronger, wiser, and unapologetically me. Pain is what healed me. 

Today, I respect myself deeply. I love who I’ve become. I promised that I will never put myself in a position again where I have to beg for someone’s love, attention or acceptance.  Never again will I tolerate being treated anything less than what I believe I am worth. And I am worth a lot more than I ever thought.  

I now mirror the energy I receive, you know, you get what you give.  I show up correctly, I expect the same from others.  If they don’t, I don’t beg, I don’t explain, I don’t wait — I simply walk away.   You know the funny thing is, when you put up boundaries all of a sudden you become the villain in everyone’s else’s story. The truth is, most people only celebrate you when your “yes” benefits them. But real love, real respect, doesn’t demand your silence or your sacrifice.

Well, I realised when you finally learn to love yourself, respect yourself, and honor your worth, boundaries stop feeling like walls, they become protection. And that’s the only way forward.

So be your own boss. Be your own peace. And treat yourself the way you’ve always wished someone else would.

Katerina Avraamides