You invest yourself in something. Maybe in a person. Maybe in a game. Maybe in a project. Or in a business. However, you receive no reward. Only disappointment and regrets.
The thought that you will be rewarded later if you keep going fuels hope. You continue to invest emotionally and materially. However, time passes - weeks, months, years. But there is no result and there won't be any.
It's like playing in a casino: you consistently lose, but sometimes you receive some reward. There's an illusion that you haven't lost everything and one day you will recoup your losses by compensating for the expenses.
But that's not true. It's an illusion. Those small incentives that give you hope are nothing compared to what you have already lost. You need to let go.
Learn to let go. It takes courage to gather all your strength and let go. Accept the losses. Make peace with it. And decide that you won't invest anymore.
Whether it's a person. Or a game. Or a business. Or indeed a casino - let it go. Forget about what you have already lost. Trying to regain what you have spent only sinks you deeper into the abyss. Let it go.
Yes, it didn't work out. Yes, luck is not on your side. But it's not that scary. It's scary to remain attached to it. And if you let go, then value your work and efforts towards yourself. Then move forward with your head held high.