Sorry, my peace isn’t up for sale.

I am a firm believer that if it costs you your peace, it’s far too expensive.

For most of my life, I’ve been the type of person who would sacrifice my own happiness and peace of mind just to make sure everyone around me was okay. And before you say, “Well, no one asked you to do that,” trust me—I know. No one did. But what can I say? I’m an empath.

I’m the kind of person who will show up for others no matter how much I’m hurting inside. I’ll put on a brave face, push my own pain aside, and be there because I never want anyone to feel alone.

Yes, I care way too much—and for a long time, I saw that as a flaw. But the truth is, caring has never been a bad thing. In a world that often feels cold, selfish, and disconnected, we need more people to care. We need people willing to stand up, speak out, and take action against the wrongs happening around us.

But here’s the thing about caring too much: it becomes dangerous when it starts to disturb your peace. When you give so much of yourself that there’s nothing left for you, that’s when it turns toxic.

The reality is, not everyone has good intentions. Sadly, there are people in this world who know how to take and take, but rarely give anything back. When you don’t set boundaries, those people will drain you dry and still come back for more.

At my core, I am a giver. My instinct is to pour love, time, and energy into others, often without a second thought. And because of that, I’ve had to teach myself one of the hardest lessons: “You can care deeply, but don’t overdo it. Don’t give so much of yourself that you lose who you are.”

This is easier said than done. Even now, I struggle with reminding myself that it’s okay to step back. It’s okay to say no. It’s okay to prioritize my well-being, even if others don’t understand.

Because here’s the truth—your peace is priceless. It’s not something you can buy back once it’s gone. And once you allow someone to continuously disrupt it, they’ll keep doing it until you finally draw the line.

These days, I’m learning to protect my energy fiercely. That doesn’t mean I care any less, and it doesn’t mean I love any less. It simply means I’ve realized that not everyone deserves access to me.

I’ve stopped over-explaining myself. I’ve stopped shrinking to make others comfortable. And most importantly, I’ve stopped setting myself on fire to keep others warm.

So if you notice I’ve pulled back, understand this: it’s not because I’ve stopped caring. It’s because I’ve started caring about myself.

My peace is not up for sale—not anymore