By: Amara Soleil

Sometimes we stay in relationships not because we’re happy… but because we’re afraid of what comes next. We hold on to love like it’s a lifeline, even when it’s slowly pulling us under.

We often fight to keep a relationship because of the person we’re with, or because we’ve been trying for so long that we feel like we have to stay just to prove we tried. Some people stay for the kids. Some stay because they think the person will change. Some stay because they’re afraid of being alone.

We all have past experiences aund insecurities that show up in our relationships  and sometimes a song can say what we can’t.

That’s how “Issues Hold On” by Teyana Taylor hits me. The song wraps all of that up so beautifully. The first lyric says, “I love you, but it’s…” and it always makes me think: love isn’t always enough.

I love the music video because it features A$AP Rocky, Lori Harvey, Tyler the Creator, her mom, and her partner. The visuals are stunning, and the vibe is so nostalgic especially the fashion. The 70s and 80s clothing, the energy, the colors… it all feels like a powerful throwback. And the singing is so beautiful and emotional.

Whenever I hear the song, I think about myself. As humans, we say we love ourselves  but loving someone else is different. Love isn’t easy. Relationships are not easy.

I’ve threatened to leave, taken breaks, and even broken up with my boyfriend before. I know it wasn’t healthy, but it felt like the only option at the time. I don’t know who was wrong… but I do know it wasn’t working.

It ended with:

“I’m done.”

“I’m not the person for you.”

Because sometimes love isn’t enough.

Love is beautiful, but it should never feel like a constant battle. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is walk away.

Sometimes we fight to keep a relationship alive because we’re scared to let go.

We hope love will save us. We hope our efforts will be enough.

“Fighting to keep us together, hope it’s worth a try.”

That line hits because it shows the reality of what we do when we’re trying to make something work that’s already broken.

You haven’t always been an angel but I know I haven’t been perfect either.

I’ve got my demons too, and I know exactly how you feel.

But I need to be honest.

I emotionally cheated.

It started when someone said the word “interested” to me.

I had never heard that word like that before  and it caught me off guard.

It made me feel wanted. It made me feel seen.

I didn’t feel connected in my relationship, and I knew what I was doing wrong.

I thought I was hiding it, but I wasn’t.

The deeper reason was loneliness. I didn’t want to be unfaithful I just didn’t want to feel invisible.

When you don’t feel seen by your partner, you start questioning yourself.

You wonder: Am I ugly? Am I too difficult? Am I not enough?

Then someone compliments you, and suddenly you feel alive again.

It’s not that you wanted the attention you just wanted to feel seen.

And when you’re starving for that feeling, you start believing you deserve it even if it’s from the wrong person.

That’s what the song is really about loving someone, but knowing it’s not enough.

And that’s when I realized I had to decide: keep fighting… or let go.

Fighting to Keep Us Together

When He Looked at Other Girls

He would look at other girls, and I could see it.

I brought up Tinder one time, and he deleted it off his phone. He said, “If you were my girl, you wouldn’t have that.”

He even told me I should have him as my wallpaper.

It felt like he was trying to control what I could and couldn’t do and that hurt more than anything.

My Dad Taught Me What I Didn’t Want

I used to wonder if I had “daddy issues.”

But even if my dad was still around, it wouldn’t have changed anything because he wasn’t emotionally there.

He wasn’t mentally there. And he wasn’t physically there when I was a kid.

My mom did everything for me, and she wasn’t the problem.

But my dad taught me what I didn’t want in a man.

I want someone who is present, honest, caring, and consistent.

My dad would show up late, or not show up at all.

I remember waiting for him after school, and he’d finally arrive with a small brown bag talking about soda.

But I could smell beer on his breath.

The Fear of Being Abandoned

Because when you’ve been hurt by someone who’s supposed to love you, you start expecting the same pain from everyone.

I didn’t feel valued, and I was searching for proof that I mattered.

Sometimes I wanted my partner to leave because I couldn’t handle how much I was hurting him.

I thought if he left, it would erase all my mistakes.

But he told me something that hurt… and also helped.

He said, “If I was done, I would’ve left already.”

And that was true.

Even though he gives me attention and reassurance which I need because I overthink  I still felt like the villain because I knew my actions were hurting him.

I talk to him in a way I hate, and I hate that I do it.

But I also need someone to listen. I need someone to pay attention.

I often play it safe because at least then I know what to expect.

Why This Song Hits Me

This song is a classic R&B vibe with a Ben E. King sample from Spanish Harlem.

And the lyrics make the emotions hit deeper.

It reminds me that love isn’t just about feelings it’s about trust, presence, and consistency.

You can love someone and still choose yourself. Healing is not selfish it’s necessary.”

So if love is meant to heal you, it should never feel like a constant battle.

And if it does, it’s time to choose yourself.

If you’re holding on to love but losing yourself, it’s time to choose healing.

So if love is meant to heal you, it should never feel like a constant battle.

And if it does, it’s time to choose yourself.