Romantic Bankruptcy. What's Your Price?

"Know your worth" became a famous anthem for women in 2019. I agree wholeheartedly if the self-esteem evaluation is applied to financial goals, advancing employment opportunities or educational pursuits, etc. But when applied to 21st Century Dating mechanics? Not so much. Here's why. Worth and value are assigned based on the supply vs. demand model. You cannot give value to your competition. A person's SELF-evaluation of 10 can be reduced to 7 in the eyes of the person weighing them against the competition. This train of thought might be keeping you perpetually single no matter how strenuously you attempt to justify or argue this point of view. Instead of perpetuating the ill applied self-worth narrative, focus on "Knowing your price."

Establish beforehand the amount you are willing to invest in a relationship. Allow for depreciation, accidents, incidents, late payment fees, and interest—factor in hard times, repairs, and potential repossession costs. In other words, know that lies, disappointment, mood swings, priority shifts, and personality changes are likely to occur during the duration of your union. Those are all side effects of being human. The trick lies in knowing exactly how much to invest without overpaying and becoming bankrupt. For me, I will not leave my significant other if she cheats. Perhaps I missed the signs conveyed along the way to her infidelity. Besides, she is too valuable an asset in my life to be dismissed so easily. However, my line in the sand stops at two. If she steps out after the second time, game over.

Another one is physical violence. ONE incident of assault, and I'm out. Staying past those violations encourages emotional bankruptcy and unnecessary mental and physical hardship.

Outside of romanticisms, expectations, and old school rhetoric, where do you draw your line in the sand?