The kinder you are, the more you need a place for yourself

People who can sense how others feel
often, without realizing it,
put their own hearts on the back burner.

Trying to meet expectations,
taking on what is asked of them,
and only after exceeding their limits
do they finally realize, "I'm suffering."

However, if you look
quietly into the depths of your heart,
what you find there may not be an angry self,

but a lonely self
that has been enduring for so long.

"I wanted you to cherish me."
"I wanted you to notice."
"I wanted to rest a little."

Without blaming those true feelings,
please hold them in your heart.

And tell yourself
again and again.

It's okay.
You don't have to carry everything on your own anymore.

Strangely enough,
once your soul begins to accept those words,
someone who delivers the same words
may appear.

That is not a coincidence,
but a sign that you have begun
to walk the path of cherishing yourself.

Your ability to empathize
is your beautiful light.

But to protect that light,
it is also necessary to say no, to rely on others,
and to ask for help early on.

You don't have to wear yourself down
to save someone else.

You can remain the kind person you are,
and simply
be kind to yourself as well.