They’ll tell you that love means saying "yes".That love means flexibility.That love never closes a door. But love without boundaries?That’s not love.
They’ll tell you that love means saying “yes”.
That love means flexibility.
That love never closes a door.
But love without boundaries?
That’s not love.
That’s surrender.
That’s self-erasure.
And you were not created to disappear in the name of compassion.
Here’s the truth they don’t often tell you:
✅ You can love someone and still say: “You cannot speak to me like that.”
✅ You can care deeply and still say: “You are not safe enough to be close to me.”
✅ You can honor your connection and still say: “That behavior doesn’t belong in my life.”
✅ You can be loyal to your history with someone and be loyal to your healing.
Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you’re angry.
It means you’re clear.
Protecting your peace doesn’t mean you don’t love them.
It means you’re finally loving yourself, too.
Because here’s what Survivors know:
Harm often hides in places where love is used as a weapon.
People will say “family,” “community,” “tradition,” “culture” to convince you to stay silent.
People will ask you to “be the bigger person”—but never ask the other person to stop shrinking your spirit.
But you don’t owe anyone a front-row seat to your undoing.
You can love people from a distance.
You can pray for them and still protect yourself.
You can grieve the relationship and still walk away.
You can bless their journey—and still keep your door closed.
You can love people and still set firm, protective boundaries.
That is not hate.
That is not betrayal.
That is healing.
That is wisdom.
That is legacy work.
🛑 Protecting yourself is not cruelty.
It’s clarity.
It’s courage.
It’s love in its most honest form.
💜
– Tonya GJ Prince
WeSurviveAbuse.com | SurvivorAffirmations.com | RosasChildren.com
Share if you feel safe and ready—your voice might be the lifeline someone else needs. And if you do share, remember to cite the messenger. Words carry legacy.
