A Reminder For When You Feel Like You’re Not Enough

I can tell that you’re struggling. Your eyes don’t sparkle the way they usually do. Your smile looks tired and your laugh sounds forced. You’ve been spending so much time trying to make others happy that you forgot about yourself.

When was the last time you were happy? When was the last time someone went out of their way for you? Because you deserve to be fought for; you deserve happiness. Sometimes in order to find peace, you have to be selfish — it’s okay to put yourself first. You deserve so much better, and I hate that you can’t see that.

Your heart is so big and full of love, and I know you want to give it away, but not everyone deserves it. You’re going to end up empty if you keep giving and not getting anything in return. The relationships you want in your life shouldn’t be you convincing someone that you’re good enough to be in theirs, because you are enough. Instead of trying to prove that you’re worthy of other people’s time, stop and ask yourself if they’re worth yours.

There are so many people who want to take advantage of your kindness and willingness to forgive. Not everyone is worthy of second chances. Speak up and set boundaries. Let there be consequences when people cross lines. Stop justifying everyone’s reasons for not taking no as a final answer. What you say matters. You matter. Don’t let people walk all over you, especially people that claim to be your friends. And when you stand up for yourself and they decide to go, let them. Quit asking yourself why people keep leaving when you should have told them to go.

Don’t settle because you’re afraid of being alone or because you’re comfortable. You don’t deserve mediocre relationships. I know that a part of you thinks that you’re not enough, that something you did must’ve warranted being treated this way. You’ve doubted yourself; you start to think that you’re overreacting. But you’re allowed to have feelings. You’re not “too much” – they aren’t enough. When people say you’re too sensitive, don’t see it as a weakness. Your emotions are what make you you.

Stop trying to save the world and focus on saving yourself, because you don’t deserve to feel this way. Give yourself the compassion that you give others because you are worthy of it. You are worthy of love. You are worthy of happiness. You are entitled to feel good about yourself.

You have to forgive yourself for all the time you’ve spent letting others make you feel bad. Time wasted is lessons learned. I know that it’s going to be hard, but you have to keep going. You have to learn to love yourself.