How do you know if you're staying because you love them or because you're afraid of being alone?

One of the most honest questions you can ask yourself is this: if you knew for certain you'd never be lonely again, would you still choose this person — or does the answer get a little complicated?

Love wants the other person; fear just doesn't want the empty space they'd leave behind.

Staying out of fear isn't a failure — but it is worth being honest about, because you deserve a relationship you're choosing freely, not one you're clinging to out of dread.