THE DAY I STOPPED ABANDONING MYSELF. There came a day I grew tired of proving my worth. Of shrinking my voice to be understood So I placed my hand over my heart and said, "You don't have to earn love anymore." That's when everything changed. I protected the parts of me I used to give away. I stopped apologizing for being too much, and stopped accepting being given too little. I began choosing peace over pleasing. I let go of the need to be liked, understood, or validated. And I learned that the right people will meet you where your truth lives, not where you dim. Because self-love isn't loud It's steady. Quiet. Certain. It's choosing yourself even on the days you doubt you deserve to and remembering your worth was never up for negotiation.