Last year taught me 🥀

Last year taught me how to swim;

how to float when the water becomes too deep. how to dive when the water becomes too shallow. How to breathe when the rest of the world wants to suffocate you in misery. I learnt that happiness comes in waves. I learnt that healing comes in waves. I learnt that I am both an art and a work in progress, and I deserve time to come into my own. I learned that pain is temporary and that happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy, or you can let your tears create a pool on the floor so deep you can drown and lose yourself in it.

Last year taught me to stop running;

away from my fears and closer to reality. away from illusions and directly into truth. I learnt that my soul can grow tired too, from trying so hard to avoid situations that seem undesirable, from trying so hard to ignore pending conversations sitting in my soul's inbox, from trying so hard to remain ignorant of the people and things hurting me. I deserve calm and peace of mind.

Last year taught me to be honest with myself;

to look at myself inwardly and have conversations that involve vulnerability, sincerity, and truth. to take my wounds out on a date and ask them what's stopping them from healing and why

they hurt so bad. to be more empathetic with others and more sympathetic with myself. to acknowledge that I don't have to be perfect, don't have to look perfect, or don't have to seem perfect for anyone. perfection is a poisonous illusion, and softness is one of my

greatest superpowers. I don't have to dance with pain even when the music stops playing. I am love, and I need to be more gentle with myself.

Be good ✌🏾. Remember; my name is Shelton, and I am your friend.