Kind of a Wreck, Kind of a Leader

You were trying so hard.
Trying to lead, love, show up, keep it together.
Trying to be strong enough to hold everyone else’s weight without letting anyone see your own knees buckling.

I see you. And I don’t blame you.

You thought being everything to everyone would finally make you enough.
That if you could just handle it all, flawlessly and quietly, you’d never be called out for falling short.

But I wish you knew what I know now.

Burnout isn’t a badge.
Being needed isn’t the same as being seen.
Perfection isn’t connection.

You don’t have to prove your worth by overextending yourself.
You don’t have to break into pieces so everyone else can stay whole.

You’re allowed to take up space.
To be tired.
To not know.

You’re allowed to ask for help without apologizing.
You’re allowed to be soft and still be powerful.

You never had to be everything.
You just had to be you.

And that was always enough.