04/20/2024
I think sometimes I just want someone to swoop in and tell me that I’m okay.
That I’ve done enough. That I am enough. That nobody is mad at me and that I haven’t ruined my kids, or ruined my friendships or my reputation by talking too much or not enough. That I didn’t come on too strong, or too soft.
I don’t want to have to ask.
I just want someone to hold me and say “you’re okay.”
You don’t have to work so hard. You don’t have to strive so hard. You don’t have to pretend to keep it all together and you don’t have to be so hard on yourself.
You don’t have to replay scenarios back and analyze your every word. You don’t have to stress so much about making other people happy and making sure they’re good. You’re in charge of the way you treat them, but you don’t have to babysit every feeling or thought they have.
You don’t have to measure up and you don’t have to be everyone’s favorite. You don’t have to be perfect.
You’re okay.
You can just be.
Please stop with all the extra. Set it down. Keep a good heart. Work on being self-aware, because there is a balance here. Living with total disregard of others isn’t right, but living with a total disregard of your own needs also isn’t right. You can’t take who you are and continually stuff it into a box just to please other people.
If you’re running into the same problem over and over and over, my word, work to figure out the source. What is the common denominator here? You may have things you need to learn and unlearn, but that’s okay. That’s growth. Work at your shortcomings but approach them with the same grace in your heart that you have for those around you.
Give the best you can to people, but don’t forget to live. Live really well and love people.
Be weird. Be awkward. Be all over the place. Be rambunctious with your joy.
But stop thinking that’s not enough.
That is.
That’s all we can do: our best.
I have no idea what you need right now. I don’t know what you’re dealing with and I don’t know anything about the way you speak to yourself. But, if you’re anything like me, you need to hear that you’re okay, so this is me, looking you straight the eyes and promising that you’re okay.
Be gentle with your own soul. It’s the only one you have. Being a human is messy, but you’re okay. You’re doing better than you realize.
Love,
Amy
