but listen.

you don’t need to mellow it down.
you don’t need to let that smile be taken away by every other person who walks in your life.
you don’t need to be dependent to be happy.
and that’s what you need to learn today.

there’s nothing that should stop you from being you.
nothing that should make you settle down,
compromise with who you are.

if you talk loudly,
do it.
if you laugh like there’s no tomorrow,
do it a bit crazier next time.
if you love, and love deeply,
do it wild,
because —
at the end of day,
you should live,
live exactly how you want to
and with no regrets.

so listen,
next time you are asked to change who you are
that’s when you need to stop listening.

you’re not unlovable because
someone didn’t know how to love you.
you’re not falling behind because
you don’t always do what’s expected of you.
you’re not needy because
you actually know what you want.
you’re not immature because
you’d rather be goofy than gossip.
you’re not picky because
you won’t settle to be someone’s backup.
you’re not missing out because
you have different priorities.
you’re not selfish because
you say ‘no’ to what disturbs your inner peace, your happiness.

you are you,
and demand everyone
to be okay with that.

© ATQ