Love Shouldn’t Feel Like a Project

Real Talk Vol. 24

Be careful falling for potential,

especially when you’re the only one who sees it.

Potential can be intoxicating.

It sounds like hope.

It feels like faith.

It convinces you to stay longer than you should.

But potential is not the same as effort.

And vision is not the same as action.

Make sure the person you choose

is someone you want,

not someone you’re constantly giving chances to.

Because choosing someone

and waiting for someone

are two very different things.

I’ve learned that loving someone’s potential

often means carrying the relationship alone.

You end up doing the believing,

the encouraging,

the waiting.

And eventually, the disappointment.

Some people never step into their potential,

not because they can’t,

but because they don’t want to.

And that’s not your responsibility to fix.

Just because you see what someone could be

doesn’t mean they deserve access

to who you already are.

Love shouldn’t feel like a project.

Or a gamble.

Or a constant lesson in patience.

You don’t owe anyone your time

just because you saw something in them first.

Choose people who show consistency.

Not people you’re hoping will become someone else.

Potential is optional.

Effort is not.

–C