I wasn’t always like this…

You are not a burden. You are not “too much.”

Every version of you is worthy of compassion especially the ones shaped by pain.

Give yourself the same love you would give someone else, no matter what version of you you’ve become. ❤️

#youdeservemore #selfworth

2025/9/11 Edited to

... Read moreIt's common for many of us to look back and feel that we 'weren't always like this,' especially when dealing with anxiety, fears, or moments of vulnerability that make us want to hide our true feelings. These changes or struggles can feel heavy, but it's important to remember that every version of yourself—including the one shaped by pain—is deserving of love and care. Sometimes, anxiety can alter how we perceive trust and comfort, making it harder to connect with others or even with ourselves. This shift doesn't make you any less valuable or less worthy of compassion. Rather, it calls for a gentler approach to self-care. Simple acts like acknowledging your feelings without judgment, practicing positive self-talk, and reaching out for support when needed can build a strong foundation for healing. Living with anxiety and self-doubt often feels isolating, but you're not alone. Many people find solace through communities where sharing stories fosters connection and understanding. Hashtags like #youdeservemore and #selfworth remind us we’re part of a compassionate collective that encourages self-love amidst challenges. By giving yourself the same love you would offer others, you begin to dismantle the harsh inner critic that labels you as 'too much' or a 'burden.' Embracing your journey with patience and kindness helps you rebuild trust—not only in others but importantly, in yourself. This process can transform how you experience life's fears and discomforts, turning them into opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Remember, the songs that once made you look away or the moments that made you tear up are part of your story, showing your depth and humanity. They do not diminish your worth but invite you to be compassionate toward yourself. Your current self, with all its complexities, deserves recognition, love, and care as fully as any other version you’ve been.

Related posts

I gave it everything and it still wasn’t enough.
#relatable #real #sad #vent #fyp i changed everything about myself and it still wasn’t enough for her. i give my all for people and it’s still never enough.
ur3am_thoughts

ur3am_thoughts

1274 likes

Life wasn’t always like this.
This is for the women ✨♥️ If you’re in a place where you feel stuck or frustrated because of everything going on in your life coming at you at once. I feel ya! I was there. I didn’t always feel the peace I have now. I’m grateful at a young age I worked with a wise woman who noticed my love fo
LifewithKD

LifewithKD

4 likes

I wasn’t always someone’s mom…
#MomLife #ParentLife #RelatableMom #FunnyParents #FYP
EWade

EWade

2 likes

I didn’t always “get” school—until I
figured out how I learn. Back in 7th grade, I was struggling hard. Then my dad showed me how to make my own notes and practice tests. Game changer. Since then, I’ve realized: ❌ Listening to lectures? Meh. ❌ Rewriting notes? Doesn’t stick. ✅ Drawing mind maps, making jokes, turning topics i
Tyra-Lee 🩺

Tyra-Lee 🩺

323 likes

✨I forgot this wasn’t my real hair ✨
🎀ISEE Reddish Brown kinky curly 18inches 180% HD Lace Wig #hdclosurewig #kinkycurlyhair #wiginfluencer #wigreview #iseehairbeauties
Lemon8er

Lemon8er

3188 likes

THINGS I WASNT PREPARED AS A NURSE 🥹
#embracevulnerability #springbreak #nurse #studentnurse #Lemon8Diary
Gena Cobaj

Gena Cobaj

379 likes

HER FOREVER AND ALWAYS
where my queens that feel this we all HER stand on that!!! 🩷🩷
zeezee

zeezee

1 like

🌺 Don’t say I wasn’t looking out for us 😌
We gotta smell edible everywhere we go. #vanillagirl #smellgoodfinds #milkandhoney #coconutscents
Bri_TheOne

Bri_TheOne

1126 likes

Mornings didn’t always feel like this
Mornings used to feel heavy for me. I was exhausted, overworked, and always worried about money. I didn't change everything overnight. I chose one simple daily pay blueprint that fit into my real life and gave me peace again. If this morning feels like a sign for you, comment COFFEE I'I
CoffeewithNana|Work From Home

CoffeewithNana|Work From Home

1 like

Gods “no” is always better 🙌🏽✨
#godstiming #godisgood #motivation
S H U R É E 🍒

S H U R É E 🍒

4 likes

The one time where I wish I wasn’t a woman🥲
Why does it always have to be so painful 😭 #periodselfcare #beachvlog #beachgirl #periodpain #beachlife
Coco

Coco

7760 likes

It Wasn’t Always Like This
It took me 2 years to feel like a mom and 3 to start to feel regulated. They always told me “it takes time.” But no one knew how long and how much work it would take. I had to fight tooth and nail to find my way out of the lost, broken, scared, angry version of who I’d become. Community
Serein

Serein

0 likes

💔 I Wasn’t Hard To Love
For months, I tried to become easier to love. I talked less. I asked for less. I accepted things that hurt me because I thought asking for more would make me “too much.” Then I learned something important: The right person won’t need you to become smaller. You were never asking fo
OllieAnt

OllieAnt

8 likes

Why are they always thinking this?
They are always projecting the nonsense that floats around in their heads on other people #racist #racism #haters #blackhistory #locs
GabesCorner1995

GabesCorner1995

183 likes

He Wasn’t Busy. I Just Wasn’t a Priority.
For the longest time, I kept telling myself he was busy. Busy with work. Busy with friends. Busy with life. Then one day I stopped looking at his words and started looking at his actions. That’s when everything became clear. Sometimes the truth hurts. But the truth also sets you fr
OllieAnt

OllieAnt

16 likes

I’m always losing motivation
#dear diary , This app keeps suggesting that I should post on diary challenges. My very first post was about the same, and how I wanted to be consistent with it. I failed miserably and I believe that was a month or two ago so there wasn’t much effort after day one. When it got suggested f
Krystil Smith

Krystil Smith

11 likes

A light brown Bible with colorful index tabs lies on a wooden table. In the background, a light blue vase holds beige artificial flowers. A pink butterfly graphic is visible above the Bible. The image is watermarked 'Lemon8'.
I just wasn’t getting it
I have a morning routine list wrote down in my notebook. I figured this would help me to stay on track with things. However, as a mom of 3 that does not always happen. One of the things on my list is “read bible”. I’m just going to be honest here; I was always looking at reading my bible as a chore
Danielle Gene

Danielle Gene

80 likes

Why Was I Always in a Rush? The Truth Shocked Me 💨
For years, I rushed through everything. Washing dishes, folding clothes, even driving, I moved as if I was racing against time. But I was never actually late. There was no real urgency. Still, my body refused to slow down. I didn’t question it until my body forced me to. A few weeks ago, stre
Elle Maejorᥫ᭡

Elle Maejorᥫ᭡

14 likes

HoldOnEndure wasn’t a slogan… it was survival.
HoldOnEndure wasn’t a slogan… it was survival. Brothers and Sisters… HoldOnEndure isn’t just something I say. It’s not just a brand. It’s not just words on a shirt. It’s how I survived. There were seasons where I didn’t feel strong… I felt stretched. I felt tested. I felt like ever
HoldOnEndure

HoldOnEndure

9 likes

no cause it wasn’t even yours 😭
#coffee #coffeehumor #icedcoffee #caffeine #coffeelover #coffeelover #caffeineaddict
✨Taylor✨

✨Taylor✨

2160 likes

I said I wasn’t going to get it but I got it 😉🥰
I said I wasn’t going to get it but I got it 😉🥰 this beautiful Barista Touch Impress Expresso machine deserved to be in my kitchen, I had this one before in stainless steel and I loved it and I just know how good this brand is and with this collection being white and gold it’s just perfect in my ki
Miss Evelyn | Home Reset Mom

Miss Evelyn | Home Reset Mom

473 likes

A person with curly dark hair looks at the camera, with text overlayed: 'EMOTIONAL AVOIDANCE ALMOST BROKE ME. Swipe to read more.'
Black background with white text titled 'Real Talk:' describing how the author's emotional avoidance led to burnout and depression.
A person with curly dark hair looks at the camera, with text overlayed describing emotional avoidance as disappearing and ghosting others.
I Wasn’t Healing—Just Hiding in My Busy Life 🍸
I used to disappear when life got hard — literally ghost everyone. I thought I was just “recharging,” but truthfully, I was emotionally avoiding every feeling. It wasn’t until I looked in the mirror and saw someone I didn’t recognize that I realized: this isn’t healing. It’s hiding. Now, I pray, jo
MAIIA ⭐️

MAIIA ⭐️

47 likes

🫶 This Wouldn’t Have Happened If It Wasn’t For You
I Would Like To Thank Everyone For Their Love & Support. #Lemon8 #lemon #we #world #likes #page #earth #lifestyle #unfiltered #lifestyleinfluencer
Sweird711

Sweird711

1 like

A woman takes a mirror selfie in a bathroom, with text overlay "COSTCO ITEMS I WONT STOP BUYING" and emojis of a blueberry, pizza, shopping cart, and shopping bags.
Three large pump bottles of hair care products, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, are displayed on a light-colored countertop. The text mentions using them for years.
Various frozen fruit bags (blueberries, mango, strawberries), a container of organic yogurt, and acai superfruit packs are arranged on a white countertop. The text highlights making acai bowls.
costco items I always rebuy! 💯
I’m a costco girl through and through haha here are some groceries I buy over and over again! Mix of healthy and fun items 🫐🍕
cass🌞

cass🌞

468 likes

I Thought I Was Behind… I Wasn’t
I’ve been online for years But nothing ever felt clear It always seemed complicated like I was missing something Not because I couldn’t do it but because it was never explained simply That’s what finally changed for me Once I saw it broken down step-by-step everythin
Ann | Reset45

Ann | Reset45

2 likes

I wasn’t sure if people still liked squeeze tubes
Now that i know the other squeeze tube gloss i made sold well i ordered double the amount of this one 🩷 #foryou #lipgloss #lipglossbusiness
baciamilips

baciamilips

1470 likes

A hand with red nail polish holds an e-reader displaying the cover of 'Indian Burial Ground' by Nick Medina, emphasizing an indigenous horror book review.
A hand holds an e-reader showing a passage about a character's discomfort and a desire for honesty, described as 'haunting and shocking' content.
A hand holds an e-reader displaying text from a book, with an overlay indicating the story focuses on alcoholism and mental health themes.
indigenous horror always wins
I read a short story by this author in Never Whistle at Night that I LOVED and when I saw he was coming out with another novel I knew I had to read it. Nick Medina does a great job combining character focus/development with a truly spooky and haunting story set on a reservation, and I enjoyed e
aubrei

aubrei

16 likes

A scenic view of palm trees and cars at sunset or sunrise, with text overlay 'why healing feels worse before it gets better'.
A person's hand with a butterfly ring rests on their leg, illustrating the first reason healing feels worse: confronting suppressed memories.
The interior of an airplane cabin with passengers, representing the second reason healing feels worse: letting go of old coping mechanisms.
3 reasons healing always feels worse at first
the first 3 months after i started my healing journey were literal hell. i was having panic attacks all the time, constant mood swings, and slept way too much. i thought healing was supposed to make me feel better, and instead i felt SO much worse. it made me feel like i was doing it wrong, or m
carley ◡̈

carley ◡̈

173 likes

🫣I wasn't always pro natural 🤐
I was not always pro natural, I felt like what other ppl said or thought about me matter more and how I was raised was kind of the motto (or what I loved by that's all you know when you're young)🤷🏽‍♀️ as I grew older I embraced my natural self ne okay with no make up, gloss, nails or eve
Rani M🦋

Rani M🦋

14 likes

I used to hate that I wasn’t “Stoic”
I used to struggle with not being “stoic” enough. Especially when I moved to San Diego. 🥶 This is totally non-nutrition related…but I’ve seen those “social media is a highlight reel” posts and this is my version of that, I guess. I always have felt a little too…goofy? Quirky? Awkward? 🤓
Kale RD, CPT

Kale RD, CPT

13 likes

I wasn't always this way
Vulnerability 🤍 My Story: Chronic illness... Eds; MCAS; POTS; Cardiomyopathy 🤍 My Takeaways: one day at a time #chronicillness #chronicillnessawareness #embracevulnerability #Lemon8Diary
allwaysal

allwaysal

1 like

A woman takes a mirror selfie, partially obscuring her face with her phone. She wears an off-the-shoulder top and gold jewelry. Overlay text reads "EMOTIONAL MATURITY ISN'T ALWAYS PRETTY," along with "lemon8" and the username. The image has a dark, moody aesthetic.
emotional maturity isn’t always pretty
As someone with BPD, practicing emotional maturity was daunting for most of my life. If you asked me, I’d say I had it down, but we’d both know it wasn’t true. For me, the most difficult part was taking accountability for my actions, even when it stings. Things like choosing silence over arguing
Megann Louise

Megann Louise

22 likes

I always wondered how people did it!
I always wondered how people were out and about all day and working from home. I always wondered how people traveled all the time and went to the gym mid day. Now I am one of those people. It’s crazy how ONE decision turned my reality around. Learning to make money online has been the biggest p
LifewithKD

LifewithKD

298 likes

A black and white image shows a person in a plaid blazer and ripped jeans holding an open Bible. The text overlay reads, "THAT WASN'T JESUS, THAT WAS PEOPLE." The image conveys the article's theme of church hurt stemming from human actions, not Jesus.
“That wasn’t Jesus, that was people.”
I recently got a DM from someone who had previously left the Christian faith because of the way they experienced a church environment and wanted to know if it was worth it to try again. As you can probably guess, I responded with, “Absolutely!” I won’t divulge this person’s entire story, but essent
tay 🤍💐🎀

tay 🤍💐🎀

20 likes

This year wasn’t perfect, but it was powerful. 🖤
Let’s close 2024 by honoring your growth, your wins, and the strength it took to keep going. 2025 isn’t about starting over—it’s about building on everything you’ve overcome. ✨ #NewYearReflection #CelebrateYourWins #KeepGrowing
MLYM

MLYM

7 likes

5 Tell-Tale Signs He wasn’t ✨The One✨
It took me 6 months to realize this man was NOT the one for me. Here are some signs to help you realize sooner than I did 1. I didn’t feel comfortable being my whole self. - I have a big personality especially when I’m really comfortable but for some reason I felt like I had to me more reserved.
Kendraa T | LazyGrl.

Kendraa T | LazyGrl.

73 likes

college isn't always linear... and that's okay
dear #Lemon8Diary , my college journey wasn't what i thought it would be and i'm fine with that. here's my story: i entered college in 2014 as an elementary education major. i knew going in that the education program was VERY competitive and chances were low that i'd get in.
tay 𐙚⋅˚₊‧

tay 𐙚⋅˚₊‧

68 likes

No doesn’t always mean No
So I had surgery in June and had to take my belly piercing out. Fast forward to my window of being cleared to put it back in. I thought I had to get it re pierced so I went back to where I originally got it pierced. The man told me not once but twice that it couldn’t be re pierced because it wouldn
Shermania 💕

Shermania 💕

87 likes

See more