I’m wrapped up in a moment, but it is not one I want to be in.
In an attempt to steady myself, I reach down and plant my hand on the closest thing next to me. The cool, smooth wood my palm finds provides a brief respite, but after only a few seconds, I feel my arm slowly start to shake.
I quickly take stock of the situation and realize my only way out is through a door—a door that is, at the moment, blocked by someone else. So I stand here, trapped, forced to listen to the words that are being thrown my way.
The words—words that tumble out in a sharp, stinging staccato—are biting and harsh. My mind races, trying to figure out what I’ve done to warrant this barrage, but I fail to come up with an answer. I lift my hand back up and cross my arms as I take a small step back, hopeful the extra space I’ve just created will prevent these locutions from hurting me any more than they already have.
Even so, I know my slight movement is futile, because no matter how much I distance myself, I’d still be able to hear their words from a mile away. The words combine to create short, accusatory sentences, ones that all start the same:
You aren’t…
You’re not…
You’ll never…
And one after another, they keep coming. They’re incessant. I begin to open my mouth, ready to counter these invalid statements, but then I stop myself, knowing that if I speak, it will only make things worse. I watch a finger point toward me, as if I’m a child being lectured by a terribly disappointed teacher. Like I’m standing next to a blackboard with a piece of chalk in my hand, being told to start writing for my penance:
I will not question what you believe.
I will not stand up for myself.
I will not doubt the truth in what you say.
I will not…
I will not…
I will not…
Minutes later, it’s over. I take a deep breath and attempt to gather my composure. I realize I’m here, alone, left with the last person I want to be confronted with:
Myself.
* * *
I am my own worst enemy. I’ve carried with me the list of my supposed shortcomings for so long, they’re practically written in bones. And because of this, I know it is too late.
I start replaying what was said, and I begin to wonder if it is all true. Am I really not doing enough? Am I really not being enough? Am I that incapable? Am I that invaluable? I feel those words—and the doubt they have created—start sinking in, and I feel their determination to forge indelible impressions upon the fragile scars I’ve worked so hard to heal.
* * *
Later, I replay these moments to my mom, and then I do the same with a friend. They both know me well enough to know the lasting damage these words have the potential to leave, so they ask the same thing, hopeful my answer upholds everything I’ve been working toward:
“Those things that were said… You do know they’re not true, right?”
Yes, yes, I do… But then again… I also don’t.
Because as much as I’d like to think I have an impenetrable layer around me—one that can withstand any kind of attack on who I am—it’s hard for me. It’s not how I’m made. My heart has fragile tendencies, easily hurt and bruised, so it’s no surprise that I feel these mean words cut right to the heart of all of my deepest, darkest insecurities.
Yet the emphatic reminders of my worth from two people I trust more than anyone give me pause. I have a moment of clarity—a moment so different than the one I experienced earlier—and it causes me to wonder:
Why do all of my ‘will nots’ have to do with giving my power to someone else?
Shouldn’t my ‘will nots’ empower me instead?
* * *
I’ve come too far out of that place of darkness to retreat away from the light again.
So, teacher, hand me the chalk. Let me willingly write the words I’d rather mark my still-tender, healing heart. Here it is, my ‘Will Not’ Manifesto:
I will not let anyone make me second-guess myself.
I will not let anyone make me believe I am not enough.
I will not let anyone take away my power.
I will not let anyone else shame me into thinking I’m worthless.
I will not let anyone ever, ever make me feel like I am no one.
Never again.
Never.
Because if I remember to adamantly refuse to do these things, I can spend my precious time focusing on the important things—the things I will do and the things I can do. I will focus on all that I am, and I can remind myself that being me is all I ever need to be, no matter what anyone else says.
Let me know: What’s on your ‘Will Not’ Manifesto?
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We really are our own worst enemies and good you realize this. Keep on going one day at a time.
My ‘will not’ manifesto is I will not be afraid.Mindfulness and prayer help a lot with that. Love your concept.
I love this so much! My will not manifesto is I will not give up. It is hard, we are so critical of ourselves. Each day we can try again.
My will not manifesto is: I will not put myself in the corner to let other people take over! I love your page 😊
This speaks to me so much. Especially right now. Especially given my current situation with career, life, etc.
Thank you, yet again, for your words. They hit me right in the heart when I need them most.
Beautiful post! I think we are often our own worst enemies, and it’s so easy to internalize things that just aren’t true. We need to take away power from other people to determine how we feel about ourselves. Only we can do that.
I love love love this. You know, it’s true what they say. We will always be our worst enemies. I do the same — but it’s funny because I’m sure that you (like me!) are the first to correct a friend or family member if they display this kind of behavior. ”Be kind and gentle to yourself,” we’ll say, but we don’t often follow this advice ourselves.
Wishing you the best of luck as you empower yourself with your “Will Not” manifesto.
Xoxo
Thanks you for this. I will not give up hope – never ever. 🙂
I will not ever engage in destructive self talk. I worked too hard to rid myself of that awful habit.
What a powerful post! This totally resonates with me.
Although I may have never met you, I feel like I know you from reading your blog. You friend, are an amazing and worth human! Anyone who can’t see and appreciate that is clearly not looking.
Absolutely awesome read.
You speak with conviction from a place we have all been (and some still are).
Thank you for sharing your powerful words!
Thank you for sharing! I will not let other people take advantage of me!
I will not stop trying! Love this!
I will not let fear stop me from reaching my goals! LOVED this post 🙂
I tell myself to take it one day at a time!
Oh girl, I am my own worst enemy too! I love your manifesto and I’m going to take some time to compose mine … thank you so much for sharing this!
Such a beautiful and empowering post!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
I will not limit myself. Sometimes you just need to get out of your own way. Aloha!
I always love reading your posts. another inspiring read!
This was so poetic I love it! Self doubt is really such a silent killer. It can just destroy you silently for years. Unfortunately we all suffer from it.
The words we replay in our mind are our own worst enemy. They sink deeper into our soul than the words of others because we actually believe this truth in some way.
wow that is powerful stuff. even though to read because it hits home. so how do you move forward? its not easy
Wow, what a beautiful post. We forget how powerful the words in our own head are.
Words are sooooooo powerful!!! I’ve heard it said, “You can’t stop a bird from landing on your head but you CAN stop it from building a nest there.” We can’t stop what other people say but we can choose to let it take root or not. GOOD WORDS here!! Keep it up!!
Thank you for writing this! The voices in our heads can be so powerful and I really needed to hear this today!
I love this! I have been needing to hear something like this. After reading your ‘Will Not’ Manifesto, I came up with my own…I will not allow for worry about things I have no control over, I will not worry about tomorrow and I will not allow for worry to take over my peace and joy! I obviously have an issue with worrying 😊
WE can’t let others dictate who we are. There will always be naysayers but we can’t listen to them.
You are such a beautiful writer and I always do so much self reflection after reading your posts. Thank you.
You really painted a powerful visual with your words! My Will not is I will not allow myself to become so overwhelmed by meaningless tasks that they take away from the real things that matter!
Love this. I feel like my own worst enemy frequently…. 🙈
I struggle with anxiety almost daily and this is a mantra I’ve learned to (try to) adapt into my daily life – I am not my mental illness, I will not let my anxiety control my life
Giving yourself the credit and self-love you deserve is so important!
This is beautiful and emotional and inspiring! My will not manifesto is I will not be afraid that I’m not enough. I will not let my to-do list or what other people think about me validate who I am.
Don’t let voices you hear alter the truth. Ask yourself: is this life giving or life taking? If ya life-giving, let it marinate and hold on to it. If it’s life-taking, interject and redirect. It’s not worth you losing sleep over. The truth is, no matter what anyone, including yourself, says… God loves you, adores you and pursues you. He sees your as a masterpiece, something special and beautifully created. You are everything in His image and nothing of anyone else’s.
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