“To thine own self be true.” –Hamlet
Life is hard, and while we didn’t sign up for the journey we are simply chosen to live it. The chaos this world creates can bring the warmest spirits to shambles. With so many negative influences it’s easy to get lost in the anarchy.
I found myself on a walk with a stranger. I peered into the mirror and no longer knew the reflection. The last me I knew was happy. She enjoyed art and flowers. She had clear skin and no dark circles under her eyes. She took care of her health both mentally and physically. Most importantly she loved the new adventures each day gave her.
Who was this? This girl was sad. She wore her anxieties on her shoulder and while she still smiled, it was all for show. Her biggest fear was what the next chapter of life would bring. This girl was saddened by all the things that made her previous self whole.
The questions I started asking myself were immense. Who am I? What do I enjoy? What even is my favorite color? I couldn’t answer a single question about ME. The skills to think for oneself taught since the time of birth and I felt as if I were reading a foreign language.
How can you simply forget who you are?
You listen to the world.
You listen to every opinion of who you should be to the point that you’re not human any longer. You are nothing more than a figment of someone’s imagination. You become exactly what the world says you should be, and then they tell you it’s not good enough.
My message to everyone is live for yourself. Be happy with whom you see and never lose sight of them. The journey back is ten times harder than the trip there, and it’s fought alone.
I’m finally regaining some knowledge of who I once was and the feeling of a sincere smile is indescribable. When life makes the offer to choose your happiness or the happiness of others, always choose you.
Follow Victoria on social media:
Facebook
Instangram