Dear Someone: You deserve a love that heals, not hurts.
Read this if your heart feels shattered by someone who left, if you’re struggling to piece yourself back together, or if you’re ready to believe that love—true, enduring love—still exists for you.
Dear, Dear Someone, _
This letter is for you—you who gave your heart so freely to someone who turned it into a battlefield. You, who stayed up countless nights replaying their words, trying to make sense of their departure. You, who believed in their promises only to watch them crumble, leaving you stranded in a sea of questions. You, who now wrestle with the ache of feeling unworthy, abandoned, and lost.
I know the pain you carry, the weight of their absence pressing against your chest. I know how the silence they left behind screams louder than their presence ever could. I know how you question yourself—wondering if you could have loved them better, fought harder, or been more. And I know how much it hurts to realize that no matter what you gave, they still left.
But hear me when I say this: their leaving was not your fault. Their inability to stay, to love you the way you deserved, says more about their capacity than it does about your worth. Love that is meant to stay doesn’t walk away when times get tough. It doesn’t leave you doubting your value or questioning your place in someone’s heart.
Sometimes, people leave not because you aren’t enough, but because they weren’t ready to hold the kind of love you offered. Sometimes, their leaving is the clearest answer to the questions you’ve been too afraid to ask. Sometimes, the very act of them walking away is the beginning—not of your end, but of your freedom.
You deserve a love that shows up—not just in words, but in actions. You deserve someone who will hold your heart with care, who will choose you every single day, who will make you feel safe, cherished, and valued. You deserve a love that doesn’t make you beg for attention or prove your worth. A love that stays, not out of obligation, but out of devotion.
But, dear someone, before that love can find you, you must first find yourself. You must gather the broken pieces of your heart and begin the delicate process of healing. You must remind yourself, again and again, that your worth was never tied to their presence. That your value isn’t diminished by their absence. That their inability to stay doesn’t define your capacity to be loved.
Healing is not linear, and it’s not easy. There will be days when the memories flood in, when the ache feels unbearable, when the future feels uncertain. But there will also be days when the sun breaks through the clouds, when laughter feels genuine again, when the weight of their absence begins to lift.
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It doesn’t mean pretending that they didn’t matter or that the love you shared wasn’t real. Letting go simply means choosing yourself. It means releasing the grip of what was, so you can open your hands to what could be.
You are stronger than you know, dear someone. Your heart, though bruised and scarred, is resilient. It has the capacity to heal, to grow, to love again. And when the right person comes along—the one who will love you with the depth and consistency you deserve—you’ll understand why this pain was necessary.
The love you are waiting for, the love you long for, will not make you question your worth. It will not leave you guessing. It will not hurt you more than it heals you. And when that love finds you, it will fill the spaces they left behind with something so much greater than you ever imagined.
But until then, be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself to grieve, to feel, to process. Surround yourself with people who remind you of your worth, who lift you up when you feel like falling, who hold space for your healing. And most importantly, don’t lose hope.
The love you deserve is out there, waiting for you. But before it finds you, you must first believe that you are worthy of it. You must believe that your heart, even after all it’s endured, is still capable of giving and receiving love.
So, dear someone, don’t let their leaving define your story. Don’t let their absence convince you that you are unlovable. Don’t let this pain be the end of your journey. Let it be the beginning of something new—something beautiful, something healing, something whole.
One day, you’ll look back on this moment and realize it was the turning point. The moment you chose yourself. The moment you let go of what wasn’t meant for you. The moment you opened your heart to the possibility of something better. And when that day comes, you’ll be grateful for the strength you found in the midst of your pain.
Until that day, hold on. Hold on to hope, to faith, to the belief that your best days are still ahead of you. And remember this: you are not alone. You are loved. You are worthy. You are enough.
With unwavering belief in your healing,
—Ali Papa.
Author of Letters of Woe and an ever-growing library of books
Conveyor of the Vistas of Hope Newsletter
Shepherd of Wayward Wanderer
P.S. — Years from now, you’ll look back at this moment and see it for what it was—a bridge, not a destination. You’ll see how the pieces that felt shattered came together to create something stronger, something more beautiful. Trust the process. Trust that love, real love, is still waiting for you. And trust that you are worthy of all the joy life has to offer.
P.S.S. — Love doesn’t have to hurt. Your heart deserves healing. You are worthy of love that stays. And letting go isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning. If you’re struggling to let go of the pain, Reliable Anchors will help guide you toward healing and self-discovery. It will show you how to release the past and embrace a future filled with hope and joy.
P.S.S.S. — If you’re still searching for your reflection in these words, if you’re feeling unseen or unheard, don’t worry—your unspoken words matter more than you know. Let me write you a personal letter - one that speaks directly to your heart. Click here and share your story with me. In the quiet space between your words and my understanding, we'll create something sacred together. Each letter is crafted with care, written just for you, and completely FREE.
If you feel inspired to contribute to the Vistas of Hope journey, if you value fostering a community built on hope and inspiration, if you believe in the transformative power of small acts of kindness, and if you want to help sustain this vision for others, consider these ways to make a difference.
Join our sustaining circle with a paid subscription
Spread inspiration by gifting Vistas of Hope to someone special
Make a difference with a one-time contribution
Share the journey by introducing friends to our newsletter community
Join thoughtful discussions on each issue, share links and connect with hundreds of other Vistas of Hope readers.
Search the full catalogue of past issues and bookmark items for later.
Buy my books. They are written for you, to warm your heart and soul.
Download all my books for FREE if you’re a tribe member.
Getting too many emails (or not the right ones)? Adjust your email preferences for my letters.
If reading is not your thing, you can set up your podcast app on your phone to listen to Visats of Hope podcast.
Meet Ali, Vistas of Hope’s editor.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous support. Each contribution, whether financial or through sharing my letters, creates ripples of hope that extend far beyond what I could achieve alone. Your belief in this vision means everything.
