Letting go isn’t always easy. Whether it’s a friendship that’s faded, a mistake you keep replaying, or a version of yourself you no longer recognize—releasing what no longer serves you is one of the hardest, yet most powerful things you’ll ever do.

As Black girls growing up in a world that constantly tells us who we should be, it can be tempting to hold on tight—to expectations, to people, to pain—because at least it’s familiar. But holding on too long to what’s behind us can block the very thing we’re reaching for. Growth needs space. Healing needs release. And your next level requires your hands to be free.

Letting go doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re wise.

It means you’ve learned what your soul can’t carry anymore. It means you’re choosing yourself, your peace, and your purpose over people-pleasing or perfectionism. Letting go is an act of love—for you.

Here’s the truth: Not everyone can go where you’re going. And not every version of you can survive where you’re headed. Sometimes, letting go means grieving what was, even if it was never good for you. Sometimes, it means saying goodbye to a friend who no longer claps when you win. Sometimes, it’s walking away from a label or stereotype you never asked for.

And sometimes? Letting go looks like finally forgiving yourself.

So, sis, breathe. Loosen your grip. Trust that when you release what’s no longer yours, you make room for everything that is. Your future is calling—and she’s waiting on you to let go and grow.

You got this.

Let’s talk about it, sis—because sometimes the people we love the most are the ones hurting us the deepest. And when that happens, it’s hard to know what’s real, what’s healthy, and when it’s time to walk away.

Toxic relationships don’t always come with loud drama or public fights. Sometimes, it’s the silence. The way your light dims when they’re around. The constant second-guessing of your worth. The way you feel small, invisible, or like you’re always the one apologizing. Whether it’s a friend, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, or even a family member—if someone consistently drains you, manipulates you, disrespects you, or makes you question your value, it’s not love. It’s control.

And here’s what you need to know: real love doesn’t hurt you on purpose.

Love should build, not break. Love should challenge, not crush. Love should help you grow, not make you shrink. A toxic relationship makes you feel like you’re never enough, but the truth is—you are more than enough. You just may be trying to fit your worth into someone who was never ready for it.

You don’t owe anyone access to your peace, your future, or your light. Setting boundaries is not being mean—it’s being wise. Leaving a toxic situation is not giving up—it’s growing up. It’s protecting the woman you’re becoming.

And yes, it’s scary. Letting go of a toxic connection can feel like losing a part of your heart. But what you gain is so much greater: peace, clarity, confidence, and space for healthy relationships that mirror your worth—not diminish it.

So if you’re in something that feels heavy, confusing, or unsafe—talk to someone you trust. Ask for help. And remember: you are not alone. You are strong, loved, and worthy of relationships that make you feel free, not stuck.

You’re that girl. And thatgirl doesn’t settle for survival—she chooses wholeness.

Let’s get one thing straight: setting boundaries is not being rude, difficult, or “too much.” It’s being real. It’s being wise. It’s being a girl who knows her worth and isn’t afraid to protect it.

Boundaries are the lines we draw to honor our time, our energy, our values, and our well-being. They tell the world, “This is what I will allow. This is what I won’t.” They’re how we teach people how to treat us. And if we don’t set them? We risk letting others define us, drain us, and even disrespect us.

Here’s the truth: you are not a doormat. You are a doorway—to purpose, to beauty, to leadership. And not everybody should have unlimited access to you.

You can love people and still say no.
You can be kind and still say, “That doesn’t work for me.”
You can be generous and still say, “I need time for myself right now.”

Setting boundaries doesn’t push the right people away. It attracts the healthy ones—the ones who respect your voice, your space, and your growth. The people who truly care about you won’t be offended by your boundaries; they’ll honor them.

So whether it’s a friend who always takes but never gives, a relationship that’s demanding too much too soon, or even your own inner critic that keeps pushing you past your limits—draw the line.

Say it with love. Say it with strength. Say it because you matter.

Because thatgirl doesn’t burn out trying to be everything for everyone. She honors her yes, she owns her no, and she walks in the power of her peace.

Let’s say this out loud together: Failure is not the opposite of success—it’s part of it.
Somewhere along the way, we were told that messing up means we’re not good enough. That if we fall short, it’s over. But the truth is, failure is not final. It’s not a label. It’s a lesson. And every girl who’s doing big things has failed her way forward.

At thatgirl Magazine, we believe in shooting your shot, even if you miss. Why? Because every time you try again, you’re building something stronger: your resilience.

You didn’t get the grade. You didn’t make the team. You lost the friend. The plan didn’t work out. That stings. But guess what? You’re still here. You’re still learning. You’re still that girl.

Failing doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means you’re brave. Brave enough to step out, to try, to care. And the world needs more girls like you—girls who keep going, keep growing, and keep believing in what’s possible.

So give yourself grace. Cry if you need to. Then get up, dust off, and remember: Your failure doesn’t define you. Your comeback does.

Mistakes will happen. Doors may close. But you? You’re just getting started.