I’ve always considered myself kind hearted because I look for the best in people. Even when they hurt me time and time again, I choose to see the good and forgive.

I’m by no means perfect and I am as flawed as could be, but I try my best everyday to be a part of something bigger and more loving than just myself.

For awhile, I didn’t like the person I was becoming— jealous, intimidated, cautious, outraged, and even sad— and I allowed circumstances to start shaping me into someone my true self couldn’t recognize.

So I knew I had to change and months later, I was faced with another daunting realization that I still wasn’t completely free. Other's words still cut sharp like a knife and I couldn’t quite understand why their thoughts and accusations still had a hold on me, but I woke up one morning and learned I am so much more than someone's opinion of me.

I am not ashamed of who I am; I am kind, thoughtful, resilient, and independent, but just because someone fails to see what I have in my heart doesn't make me less of a lovable person.

His or her opinion of me isn’t who I am and when I realized that if I love the person I am and I can look myself in the mirror everyday and be proud, it shouldn’t matter if someone else can’t see my worth.

For a long time, I believed I was free, but my mind still wandered into uncharted territory and it always left me in a mood I couldn’t shake. Now months later after a lot of growth and understanding, I have learned we are so much more than one person’s opinion of us. We are so much more than hurtful words. We are just trying to be better than we were yesterday. I’ve learned it’s essential to let go of someone who brings out the worst in you and when you see yourself shifting and being upset more than you are happy, it’s time for a life altering change. You deserve to be in your true essence and have someone love you whole heartedly without conditions.