I had some time alone to think today, and it gave me the clarity to put this into words—something I know others have wanted to say but haven’t, whether out of fear or because they feel trapped in a sunk-cost relationship:
If standing up for myself makes me the villain, so be it. Your loss, not mine. For years, I tolerated disrespect and let things slide for the sake of keeping the peace. But now that I have boundaries, I’m suddenly the problem?
Let’s be clear: You don’t get to talk down to me and expect me to brush it off. You don’t get to disguise insults as jokes and think I won’t notice. You don’t get to put words in my mouth or twist my intentions to fit your narrative. And you don’t get to take advantage of me, then play the victim when I call you out.
I extended more grace and patience than you’ll ever know. The fact that you walked away unscathed is proof. You preach righteousness while lying, manipulating, and tearing others down—hiding behind sacred authority and weaponizing faith to demand blind obedience. And still, you cast me and anyone who refuses to obey without reason as the villain in your story. Maybe the real question is why you always need one.