Rose colored lenses

Looking back on my experiences with relationships, I realize how often I wore rose colored lenses, seeing the best in someone while overlooking red flags. These lenses made me clingy at times, craving constant physical touch and affection like "princess treatment" and hearing endearing words such as "Hii babyyy". However, not everything was smooth; I often struggled with balancing respect and jealousy—knowing when to set rules without being controlling. In friendships and dating, I noticed how people sometimes hide their true feelings, acting differently around friends or labeling others unfairly, such as calling someone a "sl*t" or making blanket statements like "All girls are the same." This made me more aware of the importance of clear communication and realistic expectations. Another aspect I learned to appreciate is seeing beyond the surface—beyond "store bought frames" or superficial beauty—towards genuine connection. Extroverts, for example, may express love openly, but that doesn’t always mean a relationship will succeed unless there is mutual respect and understanding. Personally, accepting that "dating to use me" or having incompatible goals like hating kids when one partner wants children taught me not to cling to idealized futures. Instead, focusing on authentic emotions—whether it's declaring "I love kids" or dealing with "respectfully jealous" moments—helped me grow. Ultimately, shedding rose colored lenses means embracing the complexity of relationships, acknowledging flaws, and appreciating the beauty in imperfection. It’s about learning from mistakes and recognizing when love is genuine and when it’s time to move on.