Moving On

When you begin a relationship or friendship with the intent of more, you have to begin with a clean slate. You can't expect to find and keep someone new if you treat them like someone old in your life. Just because you've had your heart broken, played with, etc doesn't mean that this new person will do the same. And I know everybody thinks, "How do I know this person isn't the same?" or "What if they treat me the same way?" But you won't be able to give your all nor accept all a person is willing to do for you if you are always hesitant with your feelings for them. If you want a true chance with someone new, you have to completely be emotionally available. You can't still be harboring feelings for someone you used to like or be halfway invested in someone new. That's not fair to the person you're trying to get to know and that's not fair to yourself. If you're still attached in any way to someone else, you'll compare the new person to the last. And whether those comparisons are good or bad, they're not right. You can't expect what one person does/did to translate into this new relationship that you're forming. And how will you ever be ready to receive the good you deserve if you're never mentally and emotionally ready to have a new start? I always thought it was simple because it's what I've always done, but most people don't understand that you have to completely be moved on before starting over. It's always okay to protect yourself, but you have to realize when and how you may be overprotecting yourself. Definitely be apprehensive as you need to make sure this person isn't going to treat you the same way, but you can only do that for so long. At some point you have to believe that this person won't treat you the same, so give them their fair chance, or end or slow down what you've started if you're not ready to believe that they're different. Treating someone as if you believe they won't hurt you when you think there's a chance of it is leading them on. No matter how you look at it, you're playing with someone else emotions by trying to protect yours. If you know that you can't be emotionally invested like you should, you shouldn't be trying to begin something new. There should be absolutely no feelings for anyone else if you believe you're ready for someone new. Don't lead someone on and don't miss out on good opportunities someone can bring you because you're too afraid to let go and start a new chapter of your life with someone.