Today, I learned.

Today, I learned one important lesson, perhaps the most important lesson I will ever learn. When we were young, we were taught to be independent, to not rely on others, but on our own strength. Turns out, we were not taught wrong; they were not lying.

We grew up and sought companionship, people who would complete us, whether as friends or as lovers. And to each of these people, we gave a little of our hearts to them. And to each of these people, we pledged a little of our lives to them. And the truth is, whether or not they remain as friends or lovers, they now have a part of us with them.

That is why, when people leave, we ache a little, grief a little, even mourn a little. For the loss of them, but also for the loss of the part of us that we have given away.

I told myself today, as I saw a part of me away, “Never let anyone become your habit.” Sometimes, we need to steel ourselves for survival”