Dual-Belief Jealousy
You think you’re enlightened, that you approach everything with logic, and that archaic, outdated thoughts have no place in your mind. You believe people have the right to do whatever they want, to have any experience they wish. But then, someone touches your lover, even just a fingertip. Now combine these beliefs with the reality and try to extinguish the fire that has been lit.

Emotional Masturbation
My friend, unlike me, believes that maintaining a relationship without a digestible past and a possible future is impossible, especially if the present isn’t sufficiently satisfying. The only thing keeping a relationship alive in this state is emotional masturbation: taking comfort in a small percentage of what a relationship should offer and ignoring the rest. I have to admit, he’s right.

Illusion of Control
Like social networks, like cigarettes, and like any other addictive thing, the belief that you can control the consumption of potentially addictive substances is just an illusion. Love is no exception, especially if your beloved is skilled at exploiting this brain flaw to make you addicted. Damn brain and its countless bugs.

The Challenge of Self-Respect
Self-respect begins with letting go of anger, accepting rejection, and letting go, and continues with choosing not to want. Self-respect is like a newborn baby that needs 24-hour care; otherwise, it robs you of the joy of life. Self-respect is not limited to the present. It encompasses respect for your past and future selves. You cannot respect yourself if you don’t forgive the mistakes of your past and overlook the injustices done to your former self. Likewise, you cannot respect yourself if you neglect your future self, throwing them into ruin for the sake of your current self.