If my friends all said someone was amazing, I'd agree without even thinking. I was like a chameleon, constantly changing colors to blend in 🦎 And the weirdest part? I thought THAT was normal. I thought everyone did this.

The shift happened slowly. Little moments of "wait, I don't actually enjoy this" or "why am I pretending to care about this?" It started with small things - admitting I don't like coffee even though everyone drinks it, or staying home when I genuinely wanted to instead of forcing myself to go out 🌙

Now I'm learning to trust my own voice. My real opinions. My actual preferences. And honestly? Some people don't like the real me as much as they liked the version I was performing. That hurts, but it also feels... freeing? Like I'm finally breathing properly after holding my breath for years.

I still slip sometimes. Still catch myself about to agree with something just to avoid conflict. But now I notice it, and that's progress 💭