I started out as any child would

Disobedient and misunderstood

Disobedient to the voice inside my head that told me I was enough 

Misunderstood by the people who said I did too much

As a child and a adolescent it was hard to listen to myself 

I believed I had to compete to be the best 

I had to stand out or I wouldn’t be noticed 

But growing up, not to long ago I realized nobody cared

To make it out of this world and be my version of success I can’t let the opinions of others dictate my life 

instead of seeking validation from teachers, friends, and  peers I needed to find that validation in myself 

As I’ve grown I’ve learned to trust me 

Trust the voice inside my head, and 

trust the decisions that will only affect  me