But lately I've been wondering... what if that's not actually strength? What if it's just giving away my power without even realizing it?

I've started noticing the women in my life who are quiet and gentle, and they're... sad sometimes 😔 They smile and they support and they guide, but there's something missing. A part of them that they've learned to keep quiet. And I'm terrified of becoming that.

What if what's best for me is learning to speak up? Learning to have opinions that matter, to make decisions about my own life, to not always defer to someone else's vision? 🗣️

Maybe gentleness doesn't have to mean swallowing your own needs. Maybe a real partnership is about two people who are both fully present, both vocal, both valued 💕

I'm starting to think I might have been preparing myself to disappear, and calling it virtue 🌸

Cleopatra