Dear Self,
‘Would you be friends with people that spoke to you the way you speak to yourself?’
I don’t remember where I got this quote from but it resonates with me daily.
It reminds me of the importance of my mental health.
No one ever warns you about all the baggage you deal with as a first born girl at home. The moment you have siblings, it feels like all the pressure suddenly rests on you to parent them, hence the term deputy parent, while you watch them get away with shit you never would (and never did).
No one tells you about the ‘friends’ that disrespect you ALL the time then suddenly start acting up when you stop playing their game….Dear Self…Don’t Poison That Tea.
The family members that feel entitled over your life decisions when they barely ever provide anything for your sustenance. I could go on and on about all the bad things that you’re never prepared for but I won’t, we’d be here almost all day.
So baby girl, listen and listen good. Boundaries! Set them and ENFORCE THEM. With everyone in your life. For every aspect of your life….Dear Self, Hold Onto Faith…
Ask your parents to raise their kids, the burden doesn’t fall on you (do it respectfully please).
Tell your friends your limits; those little snide “jokes”, attacking you trying to see if you’ll lash out, petty behaviour. END it! Cut them off if you must but DO IT!
The ones that suddenly act up, are the ones that are mad that they’ve lost access to you. Good. Let it stay that way. Trust me, the peace that comes out of it is worthwhile.
Also in honour of mental health awareness month, keep this in mind; “It’s okay not to be okay.”
Acknowledge the feelings, address them, rest and start again tomorrow. You matter to someone in this world. Don’t burn yourself out.
Love, Z~
