For a long time, I’ve been afraid to speak up for myself, to express what I truly want. Past experiences taught me that when I did, people would get angry or push me away. Setting boundaries and saying “No” has never been easy.
But I’ve learned that opening your heart is worth it. The people who truly care about you will understand and support you. These aren’t tears of sadness, but tears of relief: relief from finally expressing my true self, showing selflove to myself, my boundaries, and my fears.
This piece is about embracing your invisible wounds, acknowledging your fears, and working through them instead of hiding them. Living in Amsterdam for a couple of years now, I learned that in Dutch, there’s a saying that means “show your true colors.”, meaning “show your true self”. It perfectly captures what I’ve been going through in the past few months. It’s not easy to be gentle with yourself, but you deserve to be heard. Trust your instincts, stand up for what you believe in, and know that you’re amazing just as you are.