“I lied and said I was busy.

I was busy;

but not in a way most people understand.

I was busy taking deeper breaths.

I was busy silencing irrational thoughts.

I was busy calming a racing heart.

I was busy telling myself I am okay.

Sometimes, this is my busy -

and I will not apologize for it.”

―

Brittin Oakman

I tell others not to accept the shame and blame that others direct at them.

I tell others to step away from the fights and irritations others bring to them and to spend their energy more positively, in efforts and places where it leads to productive outcomes or is simply enjoyable in itself.

I tell others to have the courage to trust their own judgement, because they know more than the know-nothing know-alls who routinely inflict their judgements on you.

And most of all I tell myself these things.

I tell people not to be apologetic and to abandon the need they feel to explain themselves and justify their existence.

You're doing fine.

In fact, you are doing more than fine. You are doing well not in spite of the constraints and conditions you are working under, but in spite of what at times seems like the whold world telling you how wrong you are all of the time all the time, when in truth you everything that is right for you at the time - at least most of the time.

What works for most people 'works' for 'most people.' Since you are not 'most people' it won't necessarily work for you. In fact, it may well do more harm than good. People are experts by way of their own experience. They know nothing about you. You are the expert of yourself. Have the confidence and the courage to trust your own instincts and exercise your own judgement - you are a lot wiser and smarter than you may know, and a whole lot wiser and smarter than those who think they know better.