I’m slowly learning that I can still love myself even if someone else does not. I’m slowly learning that I don’t have to work so hard in order to win the approval of others. I’m slowly learning that if they do not like me, that is their business and not mine. I’m slowly learning that what someone else thinks about me rarely has anything to do with me at all, and I’m slowly learning it’s not my job to change their mind.

I’m slowly learning to walk my own path without worrying so much about what someone else might think. I’m slowly learning to pursue my own passions and interests for my own sense of fulfillment, and not because it will look good to anyone else. I’m slowly learning that not everyone will understand my heart and what makes it beat, and I’m slowly learning that this is okay.

I’m slowly learning that I am in complete and utter control of how I feel about myself. I’m slowly learning that I don’t have to depend so much on others to lift me up when I’m feeling down, or to take back unkind words that they have thrown in my face. I’m slowly learning that it’s up to me to decide how I’m going to see the person staring back in the mirror.

I’m slowly learning that other people do not define me. I’m slowly learning that someone will think what they want about me, and I don’t have to agree with them. I’m slowly learning to give them space to feel what they feel about me, and I’m slowly learning to resist the urge to make them see me in another way.

I’m slowly learning that there’s always going to be someone who disapproves of me or doesn’t like me. I’m slowly understanding there’s always going to be someone who doesn’t understand me, and I’m slowly understanding it’s okay if they don’t want to try.

I’m slowly learning that life becomes a lot easier when you give yourself back the control to live your life in a way that makes sense to you and no one else. I’m slowly learning that people hurt me a lot less when I take what they say with a grain of salt and move on with my day.

I’m slowly learning that other people are not medicine. I’m slowly learning that no one can fix you, no can save you, and it’s not their job to do so. I’m slowly learning that it’s okay to depend on just yourself every now and then.