Not everything is about you. And that realization will set you free. There was a time when I took everything personally. If someone was distant, I thought I did something wrong. If someone was rude, I questioned my worth. If someone ignored me, I replayed conversations in my head for hours. I used to carry other people's moods like they were my responsibility. But growing up teaches you something freeing... The way I show up in this world is a reflection of me. And the way others show up... is a reflection of them. Their anger might be their unresolved pain. Their disrespect might be their insecurity. Their coldness might be battles they never speak about. And just like that - I stopped shrinking myself to fit someone else's storm. Now I focus on my energy. My reactions. My character. Because at the end of the day, I am responsible for who I choose to be - not for what someone else is fighting inside. And maybe the most peaceful thing I've learned is this: Not everything thrown at you is yours to carry. Some things are just projections. And when you stop taking them personally... you finally start protecting your peace.