This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
You can only change yourself
Finally, after I stepped away from the relationship, I realized the one I was trying to convince to take action was myself, not the other person.
We can never change people. We can only change ourselves. Since that person could not change their negative behaviors, I had to remove myself from the situation.
Ask yourself the tricky question: If this person stayed in my life without making a single change, would I be comfortable sticking around?
If your answer is yes, then maybe you’re in the right place as long as the environment is healthy.
If you can’t imagine sticking around with who that person is today, it’s time to make a new decision.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.