A speaker reflects on a lifelong pattern of loyalty that kept them trapped in harmful relationships where they sacrificed their own needs. They describe how this self-betrayal eroded their boundaries, letting others exploit them repeatedly. Now they're done: no more sacrifice for ungrateful people, only self-respect and healthier limits.
I used to be the person that no matter how bad you hurt me, I'd still stick by your side and be there for you. But I eventually realized that shit had to stop, because that's how you allow people to take advantage of you and allow them to continuously step all over you. I'm glad to say that I'm not that kind of person anymore. My loyalty kept me in situations my common sense should have taken me out of. I was doing so much for someone who wouldn't even think to check up on me, and if they did, they only checked up on me to see if I was okay enough to come through for them. I let the love I had for someone blind me so much to where I gave them my all and went above and beyond while they were playing me and giving me below the bare minimum. I was giving them more than I was giving myself. I was so loyal to them. To the point where I betrayed myself, and so personally never again close.
