Forgive Them for Not Knowing How to Love You

Moving on always begins with learning how to forgive. It might have come in a moment, or perhaps it was years in the making, but broken hearts happen whether we anticipate it or not. They come when we least expect it, and they arrive even when we ignore all of the writing on the wall.

The Challenge of Forgiveness in Love

Not everyone can love you in the ways you need to feel loved, but how do you forgive them for not knowing how to love you?

Not everyone can rest their fears and insecurities long enough to open to another. Not everyone can love the way they wish to experience love either. Meeting someone is like rainbows and butterflies. We always think we will do better.

“I’ve learned. I’ve grown. I’m ready for our true love!”

We’ve taken responsibility for where we’ve gone wrong in our past and honest about what we want for our future.

The Cycle of Hope and Heartbreak

Perhaps after all this time we’ve finally learned how to not only put ourselves out there, but also have a healthy relationship. Things might flow smoothly for a period of time. They may even be blissful or euphoric as new love tends to be. We will feel our hearts grow and once again begin to feel hope blossom that maybe this person, looking at us with stars in their eyes, is the meant to hold our hand for the rest of our life.

So, we let our guard down, we trust, we go all in, and we assume they are doing the same. We believe that not only do they mean everything they’ve said, but they also will be able to put the real work in.

But after some time, we begin to start feeling those first pangs of distrust and let down creep in. We begin to wonder if they actually mean what they say, and we start to fall asleep crying instead of smiling.

We’re not sure where we went wrong. How we went from, “this time I’m going to do it differently,” to, “why do I always get hurt?”

The Blame Game

While in every situation, it takes two. Sometimes we blame ourselves for the things we did or didn’t do that led to the other person to hurt us.

But none of the specifics really matter. The only thing that matters is the ability to forgive them for not loving us how we needed to be loved and for not making an effort to show up in the ways that they first said they wanted to. We must forgive them for being a temporary relationship and for being one more lesson that we were meant to experience.

Understanding Personal Choices

People make their own choices, our job is not to take it personally when they do. Even if they lacked the knowledge and follow through because they were intimidated or triggered by you or the relationship, ultimately, it’s still their wound to own.

It’s their choice whether unconsciously or not to walk away or work through their feelings. Just because one person couldn’t love you in the ways you needed, doesn’t mean that there isn’t someone out there who can.

People work for what they value. It won’t matter if you haven’t spoken in months or even if you’re dating someone new.

The minute a man decides that you’re the one he wants to invest in, nothing will be able to stop him, including his own past failures and insecurities.

The Importance of Forgiveness

But if we haven’t forgiven the ones who weren’t able to love us, we might not be open to the ones who can. We have to let our hearts heal to forgive them and ourselves. Just because the love experienced didn’t last forever doesn’t mean it wasn’t meant to happen.

It’s getting to the place of acceptance where we can truly acknowledge that the person we had such high hopes for wasn’t able to love us in the ways that we needed. Perhaps it was an issue of presence. Being decisive or even in letting go of their past, regardless, they left holes where we should have been assured. They neglected the love that they said they valued so highly.

Learning from Heartbreak

But don’t worry, it wasn’t a waste of time! It wasn’t a mistake because through every heartbreak we learn.

We learned the value of actions versus words. Follow through versus intent — excuses over decisiveness. We discovered we are worthy of being loved. As we love and grow, we begin to understand that while we have to forgive them for not knowing how to love us, we also have to forgive ourselves for thinking they could.

Moving Forward

We are so committed to not starting over that it prevents us from seeing what is supposed to be in our lives.

Maybe they were the step to your forever love; the final lesson in learning that while they couldn’t love you in the ways that you needed, they did teach you about the love you do want to cultivate.

The only last thing to do is forgive them and walk towards your future with an open-heart trusting that just because it didn’t work out this time doesn’t mean next time it won’t.

Love You FAQ

Q: Why is forgiveness important in love?

Forgiveness is crucial in love because it allows us to heal from past hurts and open ourselves up to new possibilities. Holding onto resentment and anger towards those who couldn’t love us the way we needed prevents us from moving forward and experiencing the love we deserve.

Q: How do you forgive someone who couldn’t love you the way you needed?

Forgiving someone who couldn’t love you the way you needed starts with understanding that not everyone possesses the capacity to love in the same way. It requires acknowledging their limitations and releasing the expectation that they should have been different. Remember, their inability to love you in the way you needed is a reflection of their own struggles, not your worthiness.

Q: What is the cycle of hope and heartbreak?

The cycle of hope and heartbreak refers to the recurring pattern of entering relationships with optimism and enthusiasm, only to experience disappointment and pain when our needs aren’t met. This cycle can leave us feeling disillusioned and questioning our ability to find lasting love.

Q: Is it my fault if someone hurts me in a relationship?

While every relationship involves two individuals, it’s important to remember that you are not responsible for another person’s choices or actions. Even if you contributed to certain dynamics, their decision to hurt you ultimately stems from their own issues and limitations.

Q: How can I learn from heartbreak?

Heartbreak offers valuable lessons about our needs, boundaries, and what we truly desire in a partner. Each experience teaches us more about ourselves and guides us towards healthier relationships in the future. Pay attention to the patterns that emerge and use them as opportunities for growth.

Q: What does it mean that people work for what they value?

This phrase highlights the fact that people prioritize and invest their time and energy into things that are important to them. If someone genuinely values you and the relationship, they will make an effort to nurture and maintain it.

Q: Why is it important to move forward after heartbreak?

Clinging to the past prevents us from embracing new opportunities for love and happiness. Moving forward involves letting go of the pain and resentment, allowing ourselves to heal, and opening our hearts to the possibility of a brighter future.

Q: How can I trust again after being hurt?

Trust is rebuilt gradually through self-love, healthy boundaries, and choosing partners who demonstrate consistency in their words and actions. It’s a process that takes time and patience, but by honoring your needs and learning from past experiences, you can regain the confidence to open yourself up to love again.