I was with somebody who made me believe I was a work-in-progress. I wasn’t good enough just being myself, I had to adapt to his beliefs of what the perfect woman should be. He worshiped himself, as did his friends and family… it was just standard for me to be in the same boat as them, devoting my existence to his every desire. The worst part is: I actually tried. I tried so hard to be everything he wanted me to be, just to belong. I look back now and realize I was settling. Not settling for him in a degrading way, settling for a certain lifestyle that would limit me from being anything I wanted or needed to be. I sacrificed myself. I lost myself. I adored somebody who never really appreciated the person I truly was, and certainly didn’t respect me for that either. Being in love isn’t a good enough reason to stay. Being content and accepting that you could probably continue your current life isn’t a good enough reason to do so. Think bigger. Be the best you can be. Do not ever feel held back by anybody.