I read the above quote by Emily McDowell on Instagram yesterday and it resonated so much with me I've felt compelled to write about it.
I have recently been trying to "find myself" after going on a journey to create a healthier and happier lifestyle for myself. Throughout this time I have been dealing with coming to terms with the loss of loved ones so the last year or so has been possibly one of my hardest. As a result I have found myself feeling a lot more sensitive towards the world.
Over the last few months in particular, I have had to listen to a lot of negative comments from people saying "you need to stop being so emotional" or "you need to toughen up". I've had people try and change the way I work, tell me I need to do this, or do that, and it's got to the point where I am so fed up now.
Why cant people simply appreciate me as me? Yes, maybe I do cry a bit more than the person next to me, maybe I do try and see the good in things rather than the bad, yes I know I'm sensitive, but that's just who I am and if you can't appreciate me for the person I am then what right have you got tell me to change?
I have even gone as far as trying to pinpoint times in my life where I was the most happiest and work out if there were any significant moments in my life that have contributed to me being the "negative" Tanya I am obviously portraying today.
The frustrating thing is, despite the above, I am a decent human being. I know what my weaknesses are but I also know my strengths far outweigh these. I'm kind, caring, thoughtful, funny, loving and have integrity, yet that doesn't seem to matter because it's all about being tough these days.
Thankfully I have the most incredible support network of friends and family around me, who love me for the person I am, despite all my flaws, and I guess in the bigger picture, that's all that matters which is something I need to remember. Everything I am being isn't a bad thing, it's just a combination of who I am and the people who can't see that obviously can't see me.
