My Tribe

5-19-23

I used to please people a lot to get them to stay. I spent many nights crying myself to sleep because I invested too much on people who I thought would never leave my side. But people pleasing.. it’s not good. You tend to hide your authentic self just to get their approval, to get them to like you. I tend to put people on a pedestal, or see the good in them and blind to their red flags. I learned this the hard way. I gave people my heart but they broke it. It taught me to be cautious. I am still open to meeting new people, befriending them. But I now pick who gets to see the innermost parts of me. I regret listening to so many voices that I lost my own voice. I forgot my own individuality because they instill their own beliefs on me. I felt shackled, unfree to think for myself, decide for myself. This is my life. In the end, I get to do whatever I want as long as I don’t do people wrong. I no longer need validation from people now. I love myself for the way I am. Flawed but real. Making mistakes but striving to be better. Have less friends but better ones. I feel free to be myself because the right people, they stay. They don’t need you to please them just to convince them to stay. Real friendships aren’t forced. Real friendships brings out the best in you, the authentic you. They love you for your weirdness, your uniqueness, your individuality. They inspire you to grow. They guide you to the right path. They correct your wrongdoings in a constructive way. They teach you without dominating you or claiming superiority over you. And the support is mutual. The love and effort is mutual. With the right people you have freedom, and still belong.