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It’s something my mother used to say to me all the time. “Protect your heart, Maura.” Back then, she usually meant it in the context of romantic relationships. I’ve always been the kind of woman who gave my heart away a little too easily—jumping headfirst into relationships, imagining futures before the foundation was even laid. You know the type: the one who, after just a few dates, starts dreaming up the wedding. My mom knew this about me, and her advice was meant to shield me from the heartache that often followed.
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But as I think about this year, her words have taken on a deeper meaning. “Protect your heart” isn’t just advice for love—it’s advice for life. And I believe it’s something all women need to hear. Because the truth is, not everyone deserves to hold every piece of you. Not everyone has earned access to the most vulnerable parts of your soul. Some people don’t deserve your truth. Some don’t deserve your energy, your time, or your love. And when you give too much of yourself to people who haven’t earned that right, it’s you who ends up hurt.
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We want so badly to be seen, to be loved, to be accepted. And so, we give. We give our time, our hearts, our stories, and sometimes we give until there’s nothing left. We hope that by offering more of ourselves, we’ll be enough for those who matter to us. But the reality is, not everyone will handle what we give with care. And it’s not a reflection of your worth—it’s a reflection of their capacity. You can pour everything into someone and still not get what you need in return. That’s why it’s so important to protect your heart.
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Protecting your heart doesn’t mean shutting yourself off from the world. It doesn’t mean building walls so high that no one can get in. It means being discerning about who gets access to you. It means recognizing that your heart is precious and that not everyone is worthy of it. Some people won’t understand your depth. Some won’t honor your vulnerability. And it’s okay to protect yourself from those who would misuse the pieces of you that are sacred.
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It’s about knowing when to hold back, when to keep parts of yourself safe, and when to walk away from people who haven’t earned the privilege of your heart. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about being guarded—it’s about being wise. You don’t have to give yourself away to everyone who asks. You don’t have to offer your energy, your love, your truth to those who won’t cherish it.
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Protect your heart. Not everyone deserves it. And that’s not about being cold or distant—it’s about honoring yourself. It’s about loving yourself enough to know that you deserve to be surrounded by people who see you, who value you, and who will hold your heart with the tenderness it deserves.
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So, take my mother’s advice, not just in love but in every area of your life. Protect your heart. You are worth the care it takes to guard what is sacred within you.