Stop Overstaying Your Welcome in People’s Lives

-






Several weeks ago, I had a dream that felt too real to ignore. The emotions I carried inside that dream followed me into waking life. I was in shock, quiet, processing, tears falling, pen moving across paper, and new intentions being set. My spirit urged me to pull out the index cards I use for burning ceremonies. That’s how heavy this dream was.

In it, I was spending time with people I thought were for me. It was the usual: laughter, games, staying over. But this time, I was met with an attitude that cut deep. I was questioned about why I stayed, and I was told I could have easily gone home. The words weren’t even as sharp as the energy behind them. I was left hurt, confused, trying to make sense of something that could have been communicated with kindness.

In the dream, I remember thinking: If I’m not welcome, I’ll never return. And when I opened my eyes, I shut them again just to sit with it. That’s when I heard it, clear and undeniable:

“Stop overstaying your welcome in people’s lives.”

That truth hit hard. Because it wasn’t just about the dream. It was about my reality.

I thought about the times I ignored the signs. The moments I saw but chose not to see. The countless times my gut whispered, “leave,” but my heart wouldn’t let my feet move. Why? Because deep down, I wanted so badly to feel wanted. My family never gave me that sense of belonging, so I overcompensated everywhere else. I clung to people, places, and situations long past their expiration date just to prove to myself I mattered.

But here’s the real lesson: being wanted and being welcomed are not the same thing.

Sometimes the need to feel wanted blinds us to the truth; we were never meant to stay that long.

My upbringing shaped me in ways I’m still unraveling. But I’m grateful for the gift of sight, for the way my dreams unearth what my subconscious tries to bury. Without them, much of my unhealed pain would remain underground, still directing my steps in silence.

That day, I finally brought it all to consciousness. I released the need to overstay, to prove I am wanted, and to wait for permission to leave. That release was my freedom.

I am no longer afraid to walk out when the energy shifts. I am no longer afraid to exit before being pushed out. Because I now understand: honoring myself means leaving when I no longer feel welcomed.

And that’s how I step into my next chapter.

Reflection Prompts

  1. Have you ever felt yourself overstaying your welcome in someone’s life? What signs did you ignore?

  2. How has your upbringing shaped the way you handle rejection, belonging, or acceptance?

  3. What is one area of your life right now where your spirit is whispering, “It’s time to leave”?

  4. What does it look like for you to choose being at peace over being wanted?



Thank you for reading! I hope today’s post sparked reflection, inspiration, or maybe even a little healing. Be sure to check back next week for a new dose of truth, growth, and real talk here on Unaltered Voices, where authenticity always has a seat at the table.

Visit https://payhip.com/UnalteredVoices to explore more resources, guides, and inspiration for your personal and creative journey. See you next week!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psychologically Unsafe Living Environments

-
Image
  "My living environment began to get highly toxic and uncomfortable to the point where I cried a lot, was angry with myself, and was in a state of depression." -Brittany D. Jackson   I felt this! I could relate to the author as she detailed how hard it was for her to live in one toxic environment after the other. These environments take a toll on us mentally and emotionally, making it difficult to trust others. Suppose you have ever felt extreme anxiety, low self-esteem, worthlessness, or feeling drained being around certain people more than likely. In that case, you are living in or have lived in an unsafe environment. Most of us have, at some point, experienced these living conditions at an early age in our childhood homes.   I grew up in psychologically unsafe living conditions. There was access to designer things and everything else to look good on the outside, but the internal structure was in shambles. I could not wait to get out on my own; there was no reason for ...
Read more

How to Identify Narcissistic Friendships

-
Image
Friendships should be a safe space where you feel supported, uplifted, and celebrated. But not all friendships are built on genuine connections. Some people enter your life not to pour into you but to drain you. They want to dim your light, chip away at your confidence, and keep you beneath them. These are narcissistic friendships ; if you’ve ever felt like a “friend” was more of an opponent, you may have experienced one firsthand. At first, their behavior may seem subtle—a backhanded compliment here, an odd reaction to your success there. But over time, the pattern becomes clear. Signs of a Narcissistic Friendship 1. They Have a Superiority Complex No matter what you accomplish, they find a way to make themselves seem better . They constantly try to outshine you , downplay your wins, and make sure you never feel like you’re on their level. They might say things like: “Oh, that’s cute for you, but I’m aiming higher.” “I mean, anyone could have done that.” “I’ve been doing that for year...
Read more

Healing from the Subtle Wounds: A Journey Back to Self

-
Image
  As life continues to unfold, I find myself reflecting deeply on the last five years, a period where, unknowingly, I was entangled in the web of toxic relationships designed to break me. Looking back, one thing becomes clear: when your light shines even a little too brightly, those who have dimmed their own will often work overtime to dim yours too. The goal of the toxic person is simple: bring you down to their level. And sadly, much of what they despise in you is often beauty, strength, and resilience you haven't even fully recognized in yourself yet. I've come to hate that sometimes it takes great pain for us to realize who we are. It's in the betrayal, the loneliness, the subtle wounds that never quite scar over, that's where identity is forced to be reclaimed. Growing up, my mother used backhanded tactics to chip away at my self-esteem. I vividly remember how she would gush over my cousins: "Oh, you're so beautiful," she'd say, over and over, i...
Read more