Let them.

Following up on yesterday’s post on shifting expectations, I have found more helpful reflection and learning in today.

I spent time talking to both of my parents yesterday, continuing to explain and work through these places in my mind that have been bringing me anxiety and pain.

In today, I spent time reflecting on those conversations, reading, and diving into some of the work I am trying to implement into my actions and my mind.

I then found a poem that brought me the most relief I have felt mentally in months.

The poem was called “Let them.” (full text below at the bottom of this post)

As someone who has struggled with anxious attachment and emotional dependency throughout my life, I overthink and read into so many patterns that happen around me.

It is so easy for me to find evidence that I am not enough – but that’s because I am looking for it, distorting the story until it fits this negative narrative.

This narrative has been one that has been destructive to my self-worth, which seeps into my friendships and the pressures of life.

The poem was a reminder that I am my own.

Everyone is their own, making their own decisions, reacting to their own feelings.

We are all trying our best.

What helps me in this regard is that I know and trust, in each and every day, towards every person and situation, I am good.

I am intentional. I am loving. I am caring. I am respectful.

I am far from perfect in execution, but I am trying my best to show every person, every situation, and every moment the most love I can give.

I know I am good and am worthy.

It is just hard to feel it sometimes.

In this poem, it has grounded me in the fact that I cannot control anything that anyone else does.

All I can do is be my own. I can be me. And that is enough.

I trust myself to always be myself, to be good.

I, of course, hope that it is returned, but I am not the decider of that.

I can only decide to be my own.

So, I will let them be them.

And I will focus on being the best me.

Because that is all that I have.

I hope these past two days can provide some momentum in the right direction, as that has been hard to come by.

It all starts somewhere – today, it moves within myself – towards me.

NS

“I believe a few words can change your day and your life.”

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THE POEM

“Just let them.

If they want to choose something or someone over you

Let them.

If they want to go weeks without talking to you

Let them.

If they are okay with never seeing you

Let them.

If they are okay with always putting themselves first

Let them.

If they are showing you who they are and not what you perceive them to be

Let them.

If they want to follow the crowd

Let them.

If they want to judge or misunderstand you

Let them.

If they act like they can live without you

Let them.

If they wanna walk out of your life and leave

Hold the door open and let them.

Let them lose you.

You were never theirs

Because you were always your own.

So let them.”