Now I know better

Now I know better. 

I used to promise myself forgiveness, only to revisit old wounds, but now I understand the power of letting go. I once clipped the wings of my own dreams out of fear, but now I embrace them, letting them soar. I used to think so little of myself when I needed to stand tall, but now I recognize my worth.

I swallowed lies when I was starving for truth, but now I seek honesty, especially with myself. I believed the pain I endured as a child was my fault, but now I know I was never to blame. I withheld grace from myself, the same grace I so easily offered to others, but now I give it freely to myself too.

I let the world convince me that my heart was both too much and not enough, but now I see it for what it truly is—whole and worthy. I wasted days pretending to be someone else, trying to earn acceptance, but now I live authentically, on my own terms, unafraid of mistakes. I punished myself for far too long, but now I choose compassion over self-criticism.

I once believed that love had to be bloody and painful, that I didn’t deserve better, but now I know that love should uplift and heal. I used to look in the mirror and hate what I saw, but now I see someone deserving of kindness and respect.

Now, I realize I spent too much time focused on how others wronged me when the real apology was owed to myself—for not valuing this one precious life and for not recognizing that I am worthy of the very best. And for that, I have learned to forgive myself.