A note, about feeling grateful.

I’ve been having trouble expressing myself
the way that I want to lately. 

And I think that’s because 

there are so many words that,

for a number of different reasons, 

I’ve chosen not to say.
I think it's human nature to hold back sometimes.

We convince ourselves that too much time has gone by,

or we fear that we may come across as impolite, or inconvenient.

We, or at least I,
 let other people’s opinions of a scenario leave me thinking  

that maybe my feelings aren’t valid,

or that I am being overly sensitive.

My whole life I feel like

I’ve been told to stop being so sensitive.

But for me, that’s like being told

‘Oh just stop feeling.’

And see – I feel too deeply.
It isn't feeling sad or glum,
it's almost feeling too aware.

I’ve felt this way ever since I was a little girl.

I have all of these feelings

and ideas and thoughts 

and they ping pong around in my head all day.

Happy thoughts, nervous thoughts, curious thoughts.

And so when someone says I just need to get over it,

well that’s like telling me not to breathe, or blink.

It’s just not possible for me.  

And I realize saying this  

might make people uncomfortable.

Because vulnerability can be that way. 

Speaking our truths can be pretty uncomfortable.

Over the weekend, I found myself in a conversation

with someone who reminded me

of the healing powers of self-expression.

And even if, for whatever reason,

we can’t physically say the things we want to say,  

we have to get the words or the thoughts out of our bodies

and into the universe.

We have to remove the negative energy from inside of us

so that it doesn’t manifest itself into physical pain.

This idea comforted me.

And I went from feeling a little anxious,

to feeling brave.

And validated.

And timely.

And convenient

and polite.

I felt the opposite of all the feelings that caused self-doubt.

I felt grateful.

xox