Yesterday’s reel led to a lot of people calling me selfish, narcissistic, toxic—for leaving an unfulfilling and sexless marriage to a good man. And I get it. It can be jarring to witness someone leave a marriage that appears "good enough." Especially when we’ve been taught that staying, sacrificing, and smiling through dissatisfaction is what makes us “good” or lovable. But because I know how many people silence their truth out of fear of what others will think—and how many people stay in lives that no longer fit because of the kinds of things being said in the comments section—I wanted to speak to this. Choosing myself wasn’t selfish. It was the beginning of self-honesty. Because here’s the truth: I didn’t leave because I lacked empathy. Hurting my ex was the most terrifying part—and the very thing that kept me there for so long. I left because I finally extended that empathy to myself. I didn’t leave because I didn’t try to make it work. I left because after years of trying, I realized we both deserved to be deeply known, seen, wanted, and loved. I didn’t leave because I was chasing a fantasy. I left because I started looking more honestly at reality. And I didn’t consciously ignore my gut and string him along. I couldn’t hear it clearly while I was in it. I thought I was being loyal. Grateful. Good. It wasn’t until years later—looking back—that I saw how long I had been silencing what I knew deep down. It took everything in me to admit the truth to myself, let alone speak it aloud. I agonized over the impact. I grieved a future I had once chosen. I questioned whether I was a terrible person for wanting more. But the cost of continuing to perform a life that no longer fit was too high. So if you’ve ever been told that choosing yourself is selfish, I just want to say: There’s a difference between self-absorption and self-honoring. Between walking away from something—and walking home to yourself. People may conflate self-honoring choices with selfish ones—especially when a woman sets a boundary or stops performing the role of good wife, pleaser, or self-sacrificer. That's not "narcissistic" or "selfish." That's de-conditioning.