If we only took care of our hearts the way we protect our material possessions…

There's no wrong time to let go of someone who's not loving and supportive. Yet, most of us are so trapped in the idea of how things used to be or how they "should" be, that we can't bear to live in the present.

To add insult to injury, we have so many rituals to make our offices and homes clean and tidy, yet we never do the same with our souls and hearts. So, here's something to get you started: instead of spring cleaning your home, invest in letting go of people who are incapable of loving you.

Easier said than done? Not really. Letting go can be difficult, but the only person responsible for it is you. If you already gave your heart to someone who doesn't treat you the way you should be treated, you don't have a partner. Without trust, love, communication, what is it that you're hanging on to?

It's not always black and white, and you know it. You can't blame someone for not being able to love you back. Maybe they tried and failed, and perhaps they don't know what love is. But you do, and that's why your heart hurts.

Do yourself a favor: start loving yourself, and save the love for someone who will be here. Stop making excuses or putting effort into something that can't and won't work. In that process of letting go, allow yourself to grow, gain a perspective, and learn more about self-worth.

Surround yourself with people who appreciate you, and know you're plenty enough. Make yourself busy, read books, do chores, work out, do anything you can to stop your mind from creating scenarios. You're fantastic the way you are, but you cannot be a perfect match for just anyone.

So you fell in love with the wrong person… It happens. But the longer you wait to end it, the more courage it takes. In the meantime, you're losing self-respect, compromising your values, and allowing to be someone's back up plan.

Let them go. Be understanding to yourself, be gentle. Talk to yourself as if you're talking to your best friend. I know it's difficult, but you know what? Every spring, we all get disgusted by the idea of spring cleaning. And once it's done, we feel fabulous! The first cut is the deepest, but start and start now.

The thing about life is that we never know when someone great will walk into the room. Make space for them by letting go of disrespect, hurt, and pain.