This hit me right where I live. The part about arguing for our limitations and calling it responsibility — yes. That’s been me, too. For years I confused self-abandonment with maturity, as if the only way to earn rest or joy was to overgive first.
Reading this, I felt something shift. I’ve been learning — slowly — that the limits I once defended were really just old survival maps. They kept me safe once, but they’re too small now. I love the way you frame it: not as rebellion, but as reclamation.
That line “It’s not selfish, it’s sacred” — that’s everything. Choosing yourself doesn’t mean turning away from love; it means returning to it, whole. Thank you for this reminder. It feels like permission to take up my own space — not later, but now.
That line — “I confused self-abandonment with maturity” — that’s it, exactly. You just named what so many of us were taught to call “being responsible.” We were praised for disappearing, for earning our right to rest, for proving our usefulness before our worth.
But you’re right — those old maps were survival tools, not destinies. They got us through, but now they’re too small for the woman we’ve become.
I love that you felt the shift. That’s the whole point — not rebellion, but reclamation.
You choosing yourself isn’t walking away from love; it’s walking toward it, as you said — whole, radiant, un-apologized for.
I’m so glad this piece met you where you are. Keep taking up that space, right now, exactly as you are. It looks good on you
I love this so much! Art has been calling to me, I want to do more and I am going to. Thank you!
You really know how to lay it out. I like that. You bring out thoughts that are there but hidden. I felt like you were talking to me. Thank you
Always my friend, you are always on my mind....
Preach on Monica.
I love your ferociousness! Noticing all the small joys really helps me own my own life. Thank you for pointing that out.
This hit me right where I live. The part about arguing for our limitations and calling it responsibility — yes. That’s been me, too. For years I confused self-abandonment with maturity, as if the only way to earn rest or joy was to overgive first.
Reading this, I felt something shift. I’ve been learning — slowly — that the limits I once defended were really just old survival maps. They kept me safe once, but they’re too small now. I love the way you frame it: not as rebellion, but as reclamation.
That line “It’s not selfish, it’s sacred” — that’s everything. Choosing yourself doesn’t mean turning away from love; it means returning to it, whole. Thank you for this reminder. It feels like permission to take up my own space — not later, but now.
Oh, wow !! Your words stopped me in my tracks.
That line — “I confused self-abandonment with maturity” — that’s it, exactly. You just named what so many of us were taught to call “being responsible.” We were praised for disappearing, for earning our right to rest, for proving our usefulness before our worth.
But you’re right — those old maps were survival tools, not destinies. They got us through, but now they’re too small for the woman we’ve become.
I love that you felt the shift. That’s the whole point — not rebellion, but reclamation.
You choosing yourself isn’t walking away from love; it’s walking toward it, as you said — whole, radiant, un-apologized for.
I’m so glad this piece met you where you are. Keep taking up that space, right now, exactly as you are. It looks good on you
Thank you, we are growing into maturity and finding that it is beautiful