Less me

Most of my life has been spent trying to shrink

myself. Trying to become smaller. Quieter. Less

sensitive. Less opinionated. 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. I wanted to be cared for and

valued. I wanted to be wanted. So for years, I

sacrificed myself for the sake of making other

people happy. And for years, I suffered. But I’m

tired of suffering, and I’m done shrinking. It’s

not my job to change who I am in order to become

someone else’s ides 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 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. Even if it makes people angry.

Even if it makes them uncomfortable. Even if they

choose to leave. I choose honor my feelings. I choose 

to give myself permission to get my needs met. I 

choose to make self-care a priority. I choose me.