Drop the Labels

Man! This word keeps coming back around in some way, shape, or form and I just can’t shake it! So here I am listening to my husband snore and typing out the importance that this word can hold–if we let it!

I’d be willing to bet that, like me, you’ve been labeled! And no…..I don’t mean the ones you’re proud to wear! Im pretty sure you (my readers) could choose a word–any word– and I can bet it’s been thrown at me at some point in my life! Possibly the same words that have been thrown around and placed on you! But the things is, I’m so damn tired of wearing a label that I’ve allowed OTHERS to put on me! It’s kind of like the whole “kick me” signs that would get placed on the ‘not cool’ kid in school. SO, I’ve decided that I’m taking the labels off and replacing what and who others have said I am with what I know to be the truth of who I REALLY am!

For some reason, I’ve let 4 decades go by before deciding that I am the only person who gets to choose how I live! Example: I’ve lived defeated regarding my self-esteem for a super long time! Why? The words said to me FOR SO MANY YEARS WERE: “I may be fat, but you’re ugly and I can diet!” No joke y’all! So here I am at the age of 41 trying to tell myself that I am more than what was spoken to me–even though it was daily! And it’s not an easy thing to get over, especially when it was the one person who was supposed to show me what it was like to be loved by a man! Yup, good ole step dad! He left some pretty deep scars if you want to know the truth! But I’m more than HIS label! And I’m finally laying it down and walking away! And listen, by no means is that the only label I’ve continued to carry around and by no means is he the only person who has placed labels on me. But because I’m wired to want the approval of others, his was the one I tried so hard to win—and never did!

So I would ask you, what labels do you need to throw away? What are you carrying that isn’t yours to carry? Because now would be a really good time for you to put it down, and walk away with your head held high knowing that you are more than what was spoken over you! Is it easy? Hell no! Will it be worth it? You tell me! Will it give you more confidence? Then it’s worth it! Will it give you back your genuine smile? Then it’s worth it! Will it allow you to live freely as the person that your TRUE friends and family know you to be? Then it’s worth it!

I’m learning that what other people think or say about me……is NONE OF MY BUSINESS!!! I can’t lie to you and say that I 100% don’t care……but I’m learning not to! I’m learning, constantly, that my happiness is chosen by me, not by what others say or do! I can take care of ME! I can control ME! I am the only me there is……and I have decided, that I matter!

YOU MATER TOO! Drop the labels!!!