The lesson I learned…
Take it all on, and hold yourself together. Don't drop anything, and make sure you do not crumble under the weight.
One of my mother’s favorite sayings when I was growing up was, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” I heard it whenever I was going through a difficult time or juggling too many things at once.
I loathed this saying. I equated it to buck up and quit whining. You're fine; hold it together and be stronger. Withstand more, carry more, and never let it break you.
I believed my worth was tied to how much I could endure.
I wanted permission not to have to handle it all. I was so afraid to drop a ball. I kept piling them up, those things that didn’t kill me and apparently were making me stronger.
Overcoming the lesson…
In 2020, I broke.
I was handed more than I could carry.
I broke,
but I didn’t shatter.
I broke, and I put myself back together. Even stronger. I left out the pieces that no longer served me and replaced them with new and improved pieces.
Now I decide what deserves space in my life and what doesn't, based on what is right for me, not what is handed to me.
I broke and now I determine what I want to carry and what I don't.
I stopped carrying it all and started carrying only what makes sense to carry.
I am grateful for breaking.
It made me stronger.
Until next time…
Michele