When did you turn away from something/someone you thoroughly enjoyed spending time with?

Question

Describe the circumstances which led you to make such a decision. Were you influenced by external (outside influence) or internal (your own mind at work) factors? Do you have any regrets?

Answer 1

Funny how we sometimes convince ourselves about this thing or that. This is okay, that's not okay... Internal factors can be much stronger than external influences. I guess that's why we often don't listen to the advice of others even when we ask for it.
I have turned away as you described because of my own silly insecurities and self doubts and risked valuable friendships. I realized my mistake before it was too late fortunately. Otherwise I would have huge regrets. The key is to learn from these mistakes and don't repeat them.

Answer 2

I recently broke up from my boyfriend of six months. Not too incredibly long, but long enough for me to think twice.

I hadn't been actively happy with him for a while, and eventually my brother and sister-in-law (external forces, as you put it) told me I shouldn't settle for treatment that wasn't the best because I was worth more. I took their advice and broke it off.

Only in retrospect can I appreciate how lucky I was to have someone who was clear-sighted in the matter advise me. Otherwise I would have been still thinking that I used to love him and maybe I would again if I stuck it out one more month. In no time at all I would have been like the first woman who responded.

So, there were definite external forced, who confirmed for me what I had known but didn't want to admit. No regrets at all.

Answer 3

About a year and a half ago I had to leave my husband. I still enjoyed spending time with him when he wasn't drunk/high/angry. I had dealt with outside pressures to leave for a long time, but when they came out to turn off the electricity I had to face facts. The man had no interest in taking care of my son and I as he had promised. For my son's sake, I had to leave. It turned out to be the best decision. After I had left I realized I wasn't sad, only relieved, and it made me realize I hadn't loved him in a long time...it was only the habit of loving him that had kept me there for so long. Now I'm going back to school and working to jobs to take care of my little boy. I wish I could spend more time with my son, but I think once I finish my degree I'll be able to cut down to one job, and then I'll be able to spend some time with him. Its tough, and some days I feel like giving up and moving in with my mom...but I don't regret leaving one iota. Sometimes I think people avoid change because its scary, or they've gotten so used to their situation they don't realize how bad it really is. I think if I hadn't had my boy I'd still be out on the farm, with no electricity or running water, wondering what had gone wrong. I can blame it all on him if I wanted to and nobody would think I was wrong, but I was to blame too. I could have worked harder, or got a second job...but then I'd be supporting three people instead of two. Anyway, who cares who's fault it is/was. The only thing I can change is me, and I didn't like who I was anymore. So, I changed.