I used to live by a script. "You have to be beautiful, slim, successful, gentle, but strong." I played this marathon for a long time, comparing myself to others, writing off my value from standards.

I worked overtime, did fitness until I was exhausted, met those who "fit the list". But inside - emptiness.

The turning point happened in the hospital. Nothing terrible - just nervous exhaustion. There, lying on a white hospital bed, I suddenly realized: I don't live for myself. I live for "likes", for external evaluation, for the fear of not responding.

After that, I began to live differently. I allowed myself to skip workouts. To eat bread and butter at 11:00 PM. To say "no" to toxic people. And to say "yes" to what really makes me alive.

I'm no longer perfect. But I'm happy. And who knows, maybe this version of me - real, a little disheveled, but sincere - will finally meet someone with whom there will be harmony, not a struggle.