Still figuring out how to let joy be loud instead of apologizing for it. 🌿
A friend said one word a few weeks ago — “met” — and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. It sent me all the way back to who I was before I learned to make myself smaller.
New essay is up. ( link in bio) Would love for you to sit with it.
“What is meant for me will meet me, all of me.”
#unfilteredjoy #innerchild #selfacceptance #latebloomer #substackwriter #personalessay #healingjourney #choosingme
Reflecting on the idea of letting joy be loud reminds me of my own path toward self-acceptance and embracing happiness without hesitation. For many years, I too struggled with the habit of shrinking my presence, as if my joy needed to be smaller, quieter, or less visible to others. This mindset often comes from fear of judgment or a deeply ingrained belief that expressing happiness openly might be perceived as arrogance or insensitivity. When I encountered a simple but profound word like "met," it sparked a turning point—much like the author’s experience. It pushed me to think about what is truly meant for me and how life unfolds to meet us fully if only we let ourselves be seen. This idea became a guiding affirmation: "What is meant for me will meet me, all of me." In my healing journey, I found that setting boundaries and honoring my own needs allowed joy to grow naturally. Engaging in practices like journaling, meditation, and positive self-talk helped me reconnect with my inner child and revisit moments when I had to make myself smaller. Over time, I learned to celebrate milestones—no matter how small—with enthusiasm, sharing my excitement openly rather than apologizing for it. For anyone feeling hesitant to fully own their happiness, I suggest reflecting on questions like: What parts of your joy are you hiding? What would it feel like to let those parts be loud and unfiltered? How can you support yourself in cultivating an environment—inside and out—where your true self is welcomed? Ultimately, embracing unapologetic joy is a practice of self-compassion and bravery. It challenges us to dismantle limiting beliefs and invite healing through deeper self-acceptance. By living authentically and celebrating our own light, we not only transform our internal world but also inspire others to do the same. This journey isn’t about perfection but about choosing oneself again and again—a theme beautifully captured in hashtags like #unfilteredjoy, #innerchild, and #selfacceptance, which resonate deeply in the context of healing and growth.