--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had to stop linking every single thing…" description: "\"I had to stop linking every single thing that happened to me with Kennedy. Realization dawned then, that he was still my default. Over the past three y..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a93/tammara-webber-1268_accepting_i-had-to-stop-linking-every-single-thing_1992620.png" --- # I had to stop linking every single thing that happened to… ![“I had to stop linking every single thing that happened to me with Kennedy. Realization dawned then, that he was still my default. Over the past three years, we’d become each other’s habit. And though he’d broken his habit of me when he walked away, I’d not broken my habit of him. I was still…” quote by Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a93/tammara-webber-1268_accepting_i-had-to-stop-linking-every-single-thing_1992620.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a93/tammara-webber-1268_accepting_i-had-to-stop-linking-every-single-thing_1992620.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a93/tammara-webber-1268_accepting_i-had-to-stop-linking-every-single-thing_1992620.png) > “I had to stop linking every single thing that happened to me with Kennedy. Realization dawned then, that he was still my default. Over the past three years, we’d become each other’s habit. And though he’d broken his habit of me when he walked away, I’d not broken my habit of him. I was still tethering him to my present, to my future. The truth was, he now belonged only to my past, and it was time I began to accept it, as much as it hurt to do so.” [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker recognizes a lingering emotional attachment to someone who is now only a past memory, and the need to release that habit despite pain. **In simple terms:** Realizing a past relationship is over and letting go. Key Takeaway Accept the past, release the habit. Themes attachment grief acceptance habits Mood sad reflective hopeful Type personal emotional When to use this quote - breakup - personal growth - moving on - emotional healing Key Concepts psychology attachment theory grief processing Questions to Reflect On - What habit keep you tied to past relationships? - How can you create new healthy habits? A Different Perspective Letting go may be painful and can trigger lingering sadness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Belonged Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belonged-past-2546984/) [Broken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken/) [Default](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/default/) [Default Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/default-past-3463185/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Happened Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happened-kennedy-3463186/) [Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurt/) [It hurts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/it-hurts/) [Kennedy Realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kennedy-realization-3463184/) [My future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-future/) [My past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-past/) [Over the past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/over-the-past/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realization/) [Realization Dawned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realization-dawned-2141842/) [Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stills/) [Three](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three/) [Three years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-years/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [The truth was, he now belonged only to my past, and it was time I begin to accept it, as much as it hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/the-truth-was-he-now-belonged-only-to-my-past-and-it-was-time-i-begin/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“Finally, realization dawned. I belonged to Luke. I was Luke’s woman. Hell, I had probably been born to be Luke’s woman (if you believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/finally-realization-dawned-i-belonged-to-luke-i-was-luke-s-woman-hell/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [“Then realization had dawned. "Oh, my God, you're the one who hurt Davis, the boy I was with. You saw us together, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/then-realization-had-dawned-oh-my-god-you-re-the-one-who-hurt-davis/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [Belatedly, she realized something else. “Do you … have anything?” He didn’t seem to have recovered from her last comment. “But do you mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/belatedly-she-realized-something-else-do-you-have-anything-he-didn-t/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“The letters I had inscribed on it were not even dry yet and already they belonged to the past.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/the-letters-i-had-inscribed-on-it-were-not-even-dry-yet-and-already/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [“Even the good things from our pasts still only belonged in the past”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cora-carmack/even-the-good-things-from-our-pasts-still-only-belonged-in-the-past/) [Cora Carmack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cora-carmack/) > [“I thought the love I'd had for him belonged to the past, to the foolish, lonely girl I never wanted to be again. I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-thought-the-love-i-d-had-for-him-belonged-to-the-past-to-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I was set free! I dissolved in the sea, became white sails and flying spray, became beauty and rhythm, became moonlight and the ship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/i-was-set-free-i-dissolved-in-the-sea-became-white-sails-and-flying/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [Time would not change what I was feeling--or not feeling. I'd had time, and though the ache from his desertion hadn't disappeared, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/time-would-not-change-what-i-was-feeling-or-not-feeling-i-d-had-time/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [The Romans have provided a lot of writers with a model for various interstellar empires, of course, and no wonder. The Roman Empire is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-leckie/the-romans-have-provided-a-lot-of-writers-with-a-model-for-various/) [Ann Leckie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-leckie/) > [It is my greatest misfortune to be too lazy, and by the few mortifications I have already set with on that account I predict…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/it-is-my-greatest-misfortune-to-be-too-lazy-and-by-the-few/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [The more prepared I am, the better my future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfonso-herrera/the-more-prepared-i-am-the-better-my-future/) [Alfonso Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfonso-herrera/) > [I want to be with you.” My words brought a hugegrin to his incredibly beautiful face. “You’re my present and my future,Sadie, I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbi-glines/i-want-to-be-with-you-my-words-brought-a-hugegrin-to-his-incredibly/) [Abbi Glines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbi-glines/) > [Don't insult me today just because I'm poor, you don't know what my future holds!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kamkwamba/don-t-insult-me-today-just-because-i-m-poor-you-don-t-know-what-my/) [William Kamkwamba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kamkwamba/) > [I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed... My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is in God's hands...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-madrid/i-am-part-of-the-fellowship-of-the-unashamed-my-past-is-redeemed-my/) [Patrick Madrid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-madrid/) ## More by Tammara Webber > [My last coherent thought, as Lucas took his time kissing and touching every part of me he could reach and my body arched into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/my-last-coherent-thought-as-lucas-took-his-time-kissing-and-touching/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [Erin and I spent four hours shopping for dresses and shoes Tuesday night. She was going all out in her intention to make Chaz…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/erin-and-i-spent-four-hours-shopping-for-dresses-and-shoes-tuesday/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“This girl wasn’t tapping her fingers restlessly, though. Her movements were methodical. Synchronized. Sitting far enough to the left of her to study her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/this-girl-wasn-t-tapping-her-fingers-restlessly-though-her-movements/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [I’ve been thinking about that proof I spoke of last time – that you’re where you’re supposed to be. And it occurred to me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/i-ve-been-thinking-about-that-proof-i-spoke-of-last-time-that-you-re/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“What the hell is it about brooding guys that’s attractive to women, anyway? I’ve become one since Dori’s call three weeks ago, and it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/what-the-hell-is-it-about-brooding-guys-that-s-attractive-to-women/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [When you tell me to be good, it makes me want to be good,' I say, hearing the undisguised desire in my voice. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/when-you-tell-me-to-be-good-it-makes-me-want-to-be-good-i-say-hearing/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [I thought about texting Lucas, but what would i say? That i'd tossed and turned all night, thinking of his hands on me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/i-thought-about-texting-lucas-but-what-would-i-say-that-i-d-tossed/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“One of the reasons AA works is that the individual makes the decision not to drink, one day at a time. One hour. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/one-of-the-reasons-aa-works-is-that-the-individual-makes-the-decision/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [No matter what grief or loss takes place, most of life flows on all around us, as though nothing's changed. At some point in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/no-matter-what-grief-or-loss-takes-place-most-of-life-flows-on-all/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [I want it to be better than okay. You deserve better than okay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/i-want-it-to-be-better-than-okay-you-deserve-better-than-okay/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“Everything isn't fixable, and miracles are only happy twists of fate. Fate can so easily twist in the opposite direction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/everything-isn-t-fixable-and-miracles-are-only-happy-twists-of-fate/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [there's not a boy on the planet worth this amount of angst. I know; i used to be one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/there-s-not-a-boy-on-the-planet-worth-this-amount-of-angst-i-know-i/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [Every moment was a before and an after. Every moment was a now to be lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/every-moment-was-a-before-and-an-after-every-moment-was-a-now-to-be/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [I watched him pull his t-shirt over his head. I could put hin on replay doing that and watch it all day...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/i-watched-him-pull-his-t-shirt-over-his-head-i-could-put-hin-on/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) > [“Thus began the weeks of what we termed being reckless - and I worry from that viewpoint, at least, that word defines our entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammara-webber/thus-began-the-weeks-of-what-we-termed-being-reckless-and-i-worry/) [Tammara Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) [Explore all 257 Tammara Webber quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammara-webber/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had to stop linking every single thing that happened to me with Kennedy. Realization dawned then, that he was still my default. Over the past three years, we’d become each other’s habit. And though he’d broken his habit of me when he walked away, I’d not broken my habit of him. I was still tethering him to my present, to my future. 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