If you’re like me, you hand out second chances without clearly thinking about the consequences. I’ve given quite a few people one too many chances. And afterwards, I always ask myself, why? Why was I foolish enough to think that the person who did me wrong the first time would do me right the second? It’s never been the case, though. I always find myself second-guessing my second chances.

I tend to see the good in people. When someone hurts me, I try to see their side. I try to understand where they’re coming from and why they did what they just did. And because of this, I tend to hand out second chances like no other. “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Exactly. I am a fool for letting the person who hurt me once hurt me for a second time. All because I thought I could change that person.

Someone once said, “You can’t change a person who doesn’t see an issue with their actions.” The ones who lied to you, hurt you or manipulated you into thinking you were in the wrong—those are the types of people who clearly don’t see an issue with their actions. And if they can manipulate you once, they’ll try to do it again. And if you let them in and give them a second chance, they’re one step closer to doing just that.

I know it’s hard to let someone go who means a lot to you. But remember that they hurt you, and don’t forget that your self-worth is the most important thing. It’s easy to want to give someone a second chance, but you should think about that decision before you make it. Once you let that person in for a second time, you never know what the outcome could be.

Be strong. That’s my advice to you. Everyone is capable of letting a person back into their lives—someone who may not actually be deserving of that spot, but it takes a strong individual to stand up for themselves. If you know someone did you wrong and there isn’t a chance they’ll ever change, and you know what they did will always be in the back of your mind, do this: take the key, lock them out and throw it away. You hold the key to who is in your life. You hold the key to your self-worth, your happiness and your decisions. Move on to someone or something more deserving of you, because that possibility is out there.