Stop Romanticizing Potential

Raw Chapter No. 004

Somewhere down the line we began to tell ourselves that potential should be rewarded the same way consistency is.

It shouldn’t.

Potential is wonderful. Sexy, even. It’s what fuels hope. It’s what makes hope possible. It is what makes us dream about what can be. But potential has also given us access to stay in too many peoples lives way longer than we should have.

We fell in love with the person they could become.

We built entire futures with people who promised they’d one day show up.

We made excuses for people by telling ourselves, “Well, at least they’re trying.”

They might be. But trying doesn’t always mean that they want to change.

I think part of growing up is realizing you can’t date someone’s potential. You can only be with who they are in that moment.

It’s scary because hoping allows us to feel good. Acceptance settles for what is.

Hope is “Maybe next month.”

Acceptance is, “This has been going on for three years.”

Hope is whispering sweet nothings into your ear.

Acceptance is telling you like it is.

I know now that potential only leads to nowhere if there is no progress. You will hear the same fuck up. The same apology. The same excuse about how next time will be different because next time you allow them too.

Then one day you’ll realize you’ve been shouldering someone else’s future while you’ve been neglecting your own.

That’s heavy.

Sometimes love means allowing people to grow…and growing right on without them.

☕ Now I want to hear from you.

Have you ever stayed because of someone's potential instead of their actions?

Until our next cup... ☕🤎