The Expiration Date: You Already Know. So Now What? — Self-Worth, Letting Go & Moving Forward

The signs have been there.

You've been feeling it for months. Maybe longer.

The relationship that keeps hurting you.
The friendship that's run its course.
The situation you've outgrown but keep trying to make work.

Not because you don't know.

Because knowing and doing something about it are two different things.

In this episode of Lesley's Lessons, we're talking about what happens when you stay past the expiration date, why we ignore what we already know, and how reclaiming your life doesn't have to be loud, dramatic, or destructive.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop negotiating with reality.

You already know.

So now what?

 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Listen next: "Breaking Free: How to Handle Toxic Relationships and Unexpected Encounters" — one of the most downloaded episodes of Lesley's Lessons. 

Transcript

So today, I wanted to talk about. I want to talk about. Staying. The expiration date. All the signs have been there. You've been feeling it for months. And it just doesn't seem to get better. You see. The way the person treats you? Even a stranger that you met comes across more caring.

But somehow, you always get back to the rationalizing. The logistics. Comfortability. And the thought of starting over. Having someone get to know you again? Gives you the egg. It's just. Something you just keep putting off. And no matter how much they hurt you. Or disappoint you. Make. Make you question your self-worth.

You stay! In fact, sometimes you don't even allow yourself to think about your self-worth. Because that's how you survive it.

And I just want to know. How are you able to afford this happening one more day? One more season. One more social post, one more holiday, one more expectation. I know, sometimes, it's like, yeah. You have? Life's responsibilities. This is happening, and that is happening. You wouldn't understand, really.

I think I. And I've just gotten to the place where? It's not about. What happened to? Someone else that can relate to you is the fact that. It doesn't change what's happening in your life. The fear of something else? Being better. But you're not sure because you don't have a guarantee it's real.

But this is how life is. Especially when it comes to making big life decisions and matters of the heart. What are the Alternatives?

What happens? If your health suddenly suddenly takes a turn? And you know, you can't even depend on that person. What if the bills stop getting paid? Because you are the person that's taking care of everything. What about the family Dynamics the business? Your goals, your ass, your your aspirations.

What happens? If everything just stops the Rhythm stops. Then what?

This person. Knows you? And I remember when someone said that to me? And. He was the worst thing walking. And now, you could say, wow, wow! I'm not putting everything on him, but he was the worst thing walking. And um? He would say that, and it would just kind of freeze me.

I know you. So, in fact, if someone said they knew me after that, it kind of was like a soft trigger. Because for a long time. The person who said they knew me. Was the person who? Knew how to get what they wanted by any means necessary. And.

Sometimes. And he weaponized that against me.

So right now, you could be in a situation where. They know what to say, they know what to do. They know what reaction to get out of you? And you go along with it. You don't feel good, but you just go along to get along. And what's the constellation prize?

Them back in your bed. The back, calling you texting you? You feeling like you're in a relationship, but you are, you're alone. He's not there emotionally. He might not even be there financially. Only physically if that. And you feel empty inside.

It only gets worse when you allow time to just keep going by.

And just leave it as is hoping that it. Sort itself out. But does it really? You might not see any scars you might not see anything change, but. It is changing you. And the effects come long after the relationship finally ends. The way you think the way you react.

The way your guard is up. The way you play back, things that people say. What you heard them say, as opposed to what they said and what they meant. It stays with you. And it's a lot of work.

Recondition your mind.

What you're in right now? Can be resolved. It can end amicably.

Land Softly. But it's not so much about what that person does. It's about how you. Show up. Or dare I say do not? You don't have to have a standoff. To walk away. You don't have to burn the clothes. You don't have to. Talk mess about them online. You don't have to have pictures or, you know, threaten them or do whatever you don't have to.

Burn the building. You don't have to burn the house down.

You can simply just withdraw. Not reward them with another second of your time. Of your attention of your heartache. Of your resentments. Your regrets for taking this long? You can just simply choose you know what? Today feels like a good day to reward myself with a clean slate. Let me handle this correctly.

You want your keys. Here's your keys. You change the password? No problem. You're coming to get your stuff. Hey, I'll leave it over there. How does that sound? Here's a neutral spot. Take your life back! Get your joy back! Get your smile, your laugh, you think you look the same, but you are not?

You're not.

When you take your power back or begin to claim it. You will start to see the. Your body just guides you and responds to you.

You won't have those nightmares. You won't have those intrusive thoughts. You won't hear those Whispers, making you just doubt everything. Think that everyone is like that person. You'll relax. Your skin will glow. Your hair will grow. You'll fit your clothes differently. Those ideas that you had. They'll come into fruition.

You, you, you'll be you. You'll be able to work on things that you put off for years for months. For weeks. And that distracted anymore. You're locked into you?

This person knew you. And turned your whole life upside down to benefit them. They knew your patterns. They knew when you would get upset when what to do to make you happy again. Just to give you a little bit. Just enough? So you can pay attention to what they needed from you.

When they needed it. And how? But you're up now. Your eyes are wide open. You're in a compass, the volume's up. We're not going back. If they said, oops, I made a mistake. It's not you. You just simply say thank you. Or the bigger Flex. Nothing at all. This is your time.

And you can claim it anytime you want. Because now you know, better? So we do better. So, my question to you is? What's on the agenda? Today.

Always remember, you have the power. And when they can't affect you. They don't control you. Leslie's lessons.