Day 15, Blog 2

Some people only value you as long as you can give them something. Recently, I experienced this firsthand with someone I genuinely believed in. I put my energy, time, and resources into supporting them because I wanted to see them succeed. I was even planning to invest on a bigger level, but the moment I stopped being a paycheck, everything changed.

From the very beginning, I tolerated disrespect from the creator and others associated with them over and over. I brushed it off because I believed in them and wanted to see them grow. I did it all for free, without any acknowledgment, credit, or expectation of recognition. I genuinely just wanted to help.

I’ve always believed in helping others grow. That belief has guided my work as a venture capitalist and angel investor, and I’ve supported many people over the years. But this was different. This was one person I recently was going to invest in until the disrespect became too much, and I thought we shared trust and respect.

For a long time, I was considered a right-hand girl, a good friend, someone who was always there. But as soon as I set boundaries and decided my hard earned money wasn’t going to be funding them, the dynamic changed. I became a problem. I was the one making it a hardship, I was blamed for things I didn’t do, disrespected repeatedly, and even faced attacks from other supporters who didn’t know the full story.

I was hurt about it. Not hurt anymore, because I have accepted it for what it is. I accepted the lies, the false apologies, and the patterns without expecting change.

No one knew the pain behind my smiles. At night, I cried alone, wondering what I had done to deserve being spoken about so cruelly by people who never truly knew me.

The reality is that nothing shared online is ever truly private. And while some claim to build uplifting communities, private messages often tell a very different story. I have ways of seeing things without people knowing, and the truth always reveals itself.

Have I ever said something someone could take the wrong way? Of course. But I am always the person to talk things out. I will not be fake, smiling in your face and talking about you behind your back.

Here is my lesson: step back from being someone’s ATM and see what happens. True “family” only checks in when it benefits them. Real support is not conditional on money or attention. After losing my dad without being able to say goodbye, I make it a point to check on people regularly. I have connected with those forgotten by certain groups more than those who preach care, love, and positivity ever do.

It is funny how people do not get recognized for simply being a supporter until someone goes through the motions to appear generous. Support is not a transaction. If it becomes one, it is time to step away.

As the Bible reminds us, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Holding hate changes nothing. I have chosen peace.

I’m sure many that are apart of this team will come after me and don’t worry about sending it to a certain person. They read my blog daily.

Signed, Paulina.