Every interaction we have with each other is subjective to an individual’s perspective. We interact through our lenses, prejudices, and insecurities, and what may come off as a person meaning well can, in fact, be taken as a hurtful comment. Other times, there is no justification.

What I’ve been pondering lately is how a person could repeatedly hurt another. What kind of person do you have to be to treat someone with disrespect, malice, and contempt?

I’ve been on a healing journey these last few years and am now able to recognize this behavior and am able to create healthy boundaries for myself. I let myself come out of the shadows to take better care of myself and to be treated the way I want to be treated.

 

 

There’s a difference between living in the past and continually being in pain, and learning from the past and healing your psyche from the damage done.

I’ve worked hard to heal myself, yet I would get hurt again. I knew the only way to fix that issue was to change.

How are we supposed to believe we deserve better? Children aren’t born with good self-worth; it’s learned.

I had to learn how to soothe my soul and fix what was once broken. And I am very grateful to be the person I am today, with a positive outlook and a loving, supportive husband. It’s been a noble endeavor to see myself as a worthwhile person who deserves respect and recognition for who I am and what I do.

However, I have been staying in the shadows.

So much shame, misinformation, and fear have controlled my destiny, and although I now believe I am worthy of the life I choose, taking action must be paramount. Wishes and desires cannot make a dream a reality; action and effort are necessary to accompany them. I hadn’t been taking myself seriously and I was seeking external validation for an internal struggle that I’ve had with being okay being my real self.

I know that others have struggles, too. We’re all just getting through life the best we can. I’ve been hiding myself a lot, fearing that I’ll be seen as someone I’m not. We need to celebrate our unique auras and inspire others to do the same. That’s what I’m doing.

I’ve been living in the shadows, trying to protect myself from criticism, judgment, and pain. I won’t do that anymore.

Thank you for reading this. I hope you come out of your shadow if you’re living there. We all deserve to live in the light.

To being in the light,

Francesca

 

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