make sure the walls you build to protect yourself do not become a prison - Yung Pueblo

reminder:
a sign of growth is being
okay with not being okay

I spent so much time
creating versions of myself
that were far from the truth,
characters i would perform
depending on who i was around

layers that could hide
the inner dance of turmoil,
between my lack of confidence,
the pain i did not understand,
and the uneasiness that comes with reaching out to others for the
love that i was not giving myself

(before the healing)

forcing ourselves
to be happy is not
genuine or useful
being honest
about what we feel,
while remaining calm
and aware
is the real work.