Sometimes, I catch myself in the middle of a moment and realize just how much I’ve changed. It’s not the big, dramatic shifts but the quiet ones—like how I’ve started giving myself permission to say “I don’t have to do this today” without guilt. Or how I’ve learned to trust my gut when something feels off, even if I can’t explain why.

Change is funny like that. It’s not always about reaching some final version of yourself; it’s about becoming more aware of what feels right and what doesn’t. It’s about listening to yourself instead of every voice around you.

For the longest time, I ignored what I needed. I said yes to things I didn’t want to do, stayed in situations that drained me, and tried to meet expectations that weren’t even mine. It felt normal, like I didn’t have a choice. But the truth is, I did—I just didn’t know it yet.

The shift came gradually. It wasn’t one big realization but a series of small ones. Like understanding that saying no isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Or realizing that my energy is limited, and it’s okay to protect it. Little by little, I started choosing myself in ways that felt impossible before.

What’s funny is that life didn’t fall apart when I did this. If anything, it got better. Letting go of things that weren’t serving me created space for things that do—peace, clarity, and even joy. It’s not perfect, but it’s real.

The best part? Once you start showing up for yourself, you realize how much lighter life can feel. You don’t have to carry everything. You just have to carry what matters. And that’s more than enough.