I’m not the same girl who used to keep quiet when someone disrespected me. I’m not the same girl who used to shrink into the background. I’m not the same girl who used to get taken advantage of by people who failed to see my worth.

Now, I won’t hesitate to walk out of your life if you hurt me. I won’t do the ‘polite’ thing and keep quiet when you make me feel horrible about myself. I’m not afraid to speak my mind anymore. I’m not afraid to put other people in their place. There’s no reason for me to play the nice girl when people are walking over me with the expectation I’m not going to cause a fuss about it. If you hurt me, you’re going to hear about it — or you’re never going to hear from me again.

I’m not the same girl who used to worry what other people thought of me. I’m not the same girl who used to follow the crowd. I’m not the same girl who used to put my whole heart and soul into fitting in with people who weren’t worth my time in the first place.

Now, I don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I don’t care if you consider me selfish or bitchy or unladylike. If you don’t like me, then you don’t have to deal with me. It’s as simple as that. I’m not going to change myself to fit in with the crowd. I’m not going to alter my thoughts and beliefs in order to come across as more likable. I no longer live to please other people. It doesn’t make a difference to me whether you approve of my decisions as long as I’m confident I’m making the right ones. I trust myself now more than ever. I don’t need outside validation in order to feel worthwhile. I already feel that way without anyone else’s approval.

I’m not the same girl who used to believe everything I heard. I’m not the same girl who used to blindly trust anyone who was nice to me. I’m not the same girl who thought the best of people, even after they’ve hurt me time and time again.

Now, I pay more attention to actions than words. I’m cautious about who gets let into my heart. I’m careful not to give out second chances to people who never deserved a first chance. I still pride myself on being a kind person, on spreading love and respect, but I’m no longer willing to spend time with people who bring me down. I’m no longer patient with people who treat me like a punching bag and expect me to stand there and take the abuse. I love myself more than ever, which means I’m more selective about who I let into my heart than ever.

I’m not the same girl you used to know. I’ve transformed into someone completely new, someone you might not like as much but someone I like much, much more.