CASE FILE: Relationships

Subject: Aileen Wuornos Known for: The Highway Hitchhiker Vigilante Estimated victims: 7 Operational period: 1989–1990

Relationships are a lot like driving down a dark, unfamiliar stretch of interstate. You start out hoping for a smooth ride and some decent company, but before you know it, you’re stuck in the passenger seat with someone who thinks they own the road—and you.

The secret to survival in any partnership is knowing exactly when to pull over. Too many people stay in toxic situations because they’re afraid of the long walk back. But let me tell you, it is always better to be standing alone on the shoulder in the freezing cold than trapped in a vehicle that is hurtling toward a dead end.

First, you must establish clear, non-negotiable boundaries. If someone makes you feel unsafe or tries to take advantage of your vulnerability, you do not negotiate. You do not ask them nicely to change. You make a sudden, decisive move. Keep your personal defenses close at hand. Whether it’s a secret bank account or a solid exit strategy, always keep something tucked away in your glove compartment that can get you out of a tight spot at a moment’s notice. When someone pushes you too far, you need to be prepared to terminate the arrangement instantly.

Second, learn the art of the clean break. When a relationship is over, it must be put to rest permanently. There is no need for prolonged, messy arguments that drag on in the heat of some dusty pine woods. You don’t owe them a lengthy explanation, and you certainly don’t owe them another mile of your life. You simply drop them off, dust off your hands, and drive away. If they try to cling to you or drag you down, you must be ready to put a hard, decisive stop to it.

Remember, you are the sole driver of your own life. If someone tries to hijack your journey, you have every right to protect your peace by any means necessary. Some people are just trash waiting to be left on the shoulder of the highway. Walk away, don’t look back in the rearview mirror, and let the wilderness reclaim them.

File closed. Results pending.