I forgive more than people think I do. Carrying resentment for too long feels like drinking poison slowly and pretending it tastes noble. But forgiveness and access are different things. Some people confuse being forgiven with being invited back in.

There are wounds that heal into wisdom, not reconciliation.

If someone hurts me and I can see sincerity, growth, accountability… maybe there’s still a door left unlocked somewhere. But once I realize someone is comfortable mishandling me, I stop fighting to be understood by them. Quietly. No dramatic exit. No revenge arc. I just turn the page so gently they usually don’t even notice the story ended.

And honestly? Some people only miss your presence when they no longer have unrestricted access to it.

I can forgive people, yeah. But forgiveness and access are two completely different things. Some people think saying “I forgive you” means everything goes back to normal, but sometimes it just means I’m tired of carrying all those shitty feelings around and I need some kind of closure.

It depends on what they did, too. If it was something stupid, maybe we can move on for good. But if you betray me in a way that changes how I see you, it’s permanent, because there’s no way I would trust you EVER again.

When I forgive someone, I mean it. I’m actually capable of burying what happened and leaving it in the past. But that doesn’t always mean I still want that person in my life.