Most of my life has been spent trying to shrink myself. Trying to become smaller. Quieter. Less sensitive. Less needy. Less me. Because I didn’t want to be a burden. I didn’t want to be too much or push people away. I wanted people to like me and I wanted to please them so I can be valued. Essentially, I wanted to be wanted.
So for years, I sacrificed myself for the sake of making others happy. And for years, I suffered. But I’m done suffering, and I’m done shrinking. It’s not my job to change who I am in order to become someone else’s idea of a worthwhile human being. I am worthwhile. Not because other people think I am, but because I exist, and therefore I matter. My thoughts matter. My feelings matters. My beliefs matter. My voice matters. And with or without anyone’s permission or approval, I will continue to be who I am and speak my truth for the sake of myself and others. Even if it makes people uncomfortable. Even if they choose to leave, unfollow, unfriend, or whatever the case maybe. I refuse to shrink. I choose to take up space. I choose to honor my feelings. I choose to give myself permission to get what I want and need out of life. Overall, I choose me, time and time again.