From childhood I was being taught indirectly and directly that who I am at my core is unlovable.

As a result of this I spent my whole life trying to gain everyone else's love and acceptance by just trying to fit in.

This caused me so much pain because I always had this feeling of loneliness inside of me, like I was different, yet terrified of owning my differences.

When I started therapy back in 2020 that's when my whole life changed because I was able to open up about the parts of myself that I had shame around and was able to really start accepting them, owning them and have come to really love them.

Now the judgment and the gossiping I get behind my back by those people I used to call 'mates' carries zero weight, because I don't need anyone else's approval anymore.

Finally I'm free to enjoy being me!