Poem request by Michelle

Created: April 5, 2023

I’ve been carrying this burden for too long,
Caring too much about what you think,
But now, something’s different,
A switch has been flipped,
I don’t know when it happened,
But I feel it inside me,
A newfound sense of liberation.

“I appear to have misplaced the fucks I give”,
Those words ring true,
I don’t have the energy anymore,
To worry about pleasing you.
My self-worth isn’t dependent on your approval,
I won’t sacrifice my authenticity,
Just to fit your narrow perception.

The weight is lifted,
And I feel free,
Free to be me,
Without the constraints of your expectations.
I won’t let you dim my light,
Or control my thoughts,
My identity is mine to own,
And I won’t let you take it away.