Joy Wasted with KB Dickey

“People always ask me how to stay in a relationship for so long, what’s the secret? The secret is love. But here’s the twist: it’s not just about loving your partner; it’s about loving yourself first and then radiating that love outward. You see, it took me a long time to realize that I have to put myself first and not feel guilty about it!

I used to think that being in a relationship meant putting the other person’s needs ahead of my own. It was a selfless act, or so I believed. But I’ve learned that real love starts from within. It’s like putting on your own oxygen mask before assisting others on a turbulent flight. If I didn’t take care of myself first, we were all going down!

And most of the time, love is not a feeling; it’s action. Love plays out in the compromises of give and take. It feels dutiful, it’s about acceptance and trying not to judge. Love is not always lovey-dovey. Sometimes it’s just respecting each other enough to make it to the joy that cometh in the morning without tearing each other apart. That’s keeping it real.

And if we really want to keep it transparent, sometimes you just don’t have the energy to start over, so you have to keep working on the old Buick until it becomes a prized classic! There are going to be some major dents and scratches, but you have to buff them out as you go.

I’m no longer a caged bird. I am free to be me, unapologetically. It’s not about selfishness; it’s about self-preservation. After all, how can you truly love someone else if you don’t love and care for yourself?

So, I reserve my power and energy to unapologetically be me. I’ve come to realize that the most authentic version of myself is the one that’s most attractive to my partner. After all, isn’t it true that we fell in love with each other’s true selves, quirks and all?

Maintaining a long and healthy relationship is a bit like tending to a beautiful garden. You can’t nurture the flowers without caring for the soil they grow in, and in our case, that soil is self-love.

In the grand dance of a long-lasting relationship, we can’t forget our own steps. We must continue to waltz to our own tune and maintain our own rhythm. In doing so, we complement each other without overshadowing one another.

So, when people ask me the secret to a long and fulfilling relationship, I tell them it’s love. Love that starts with yourself and extends to your partner. Love that allows you to be you, unapologetically, and still dance together in harmony.

In the end, it’s all about nurturing love, the kind that both sets you free and binds you together. That’s the real secret.” 💖✨ #LoveYourself #RelationshipWisdom