Let Yourself Shine

After a month of celebrating Graduation I feel mostly two things: gratitude and relief.

Gratitude, because I am blessed with an amazing supoort system. I have a family who is awesome and never stops cheering me on. I have three best friends who keep me laughing, hold me when I'm crying, and love me when I need it most. I have a boyfriend who is a true gentleman with the kindest, biggest heart I know. He keeps my feet on the ground and helps me remain calm.

Now, I also feel relief. I spent the past four years trying to prove to a group of people that I am a good person. I let adults bully me and bring me down for mistakes I made. As a result, gossip, rumors, and judgements behind my back were constant. For four years, I let this negativity hinder my growth in this small town. I held back because I felt like I was being watched under a microscope. After high school, I am jaded. It's exhausting trying to "prove" yourself. Now I realize that I never needed to prove to anyone that I'm a good person, I know I am and the ones close to me do too. Some people are insular and will never change their opinions of people, and that's something valuable I've learned--send those people love. I will always believe that people are genuinely good at heart, as Anne Frank once said.

I feel relief because I am done trying to change things that are out of my control. I am letting it go once and for all. The past four years I spent worrying, but the next four years I plan to embrace every new opportunity that comes to me. New people, new places, new adventures...I cannot wait.

Don't ever exhaust yourself trying to prove your worth. YOU are a good person brought here for a reason. Be kind, understanding, and forgiving to even those who do not help you grow. Do not ever dim your light out of fear of judgements from others. Let yourself shine, I know I'm going to.