The new who?

The one thing I’ve heard a lot lately that drives me absolutely insane is, “I really like the new you!” And I know it’s meant as a compliment, but I want to grab them by the shoulders and shake them while shouting, “THERE IS NO NEW ME!” This is me, the real me. This is me without the smoke and mirrors. This is me without the ego. This is me without the lies. This me without the shroud of drugs and alcohol. This is me, who I’ve kept locked away. This is me, who I was too insecure to share. This is me who I loathed for so long because I didn’t know how to love her. This is me, this is who I am. I’m sorry you don’t recognize her. I’m sorry she seems like a whole new person. I’m sorry this is the first time you’re getting to meet her because I should’ve let her out a long time ago. She didn’t deserve to be locked away, beaten and abused, dimmed down, and smothered. I should’ve shown her to the world a long time ago because she’s fucking amazing! And she…no, I, am fucking amazing and I have so much to offer this world. I don’t know why it took so long for me to realize this. I am amazing, I am strong, I am kind, I am loving, I am smart, I am resilient, and I am powerful beyond measure. By hiding myself from the world I was doing myself and everyone around me a huge disservice. I owe it to me and my people to be my most genuine self. I am going shine; I am going to pour love and light into this world for as long as I get the opportunity and I’m going to fill everyone around me with that same light and hopefully they don’t bottle it up for so long like I did. Find your light, fill yourself, and pour it into everything and everyone around you. You deserve to set yourself free, break your chains, jump your barriers and fall in love with yourself. Introduce the world to the real you.