When I finally slowed down enough to listen, I heard the quiet sobbing of emotions I’d been running from
Fearing my feelings suffocating me
I pushed them down and pushed on
Running faster, faster, until I couldn’t
And when everything stopped, I realized
There I was
Carrying the weight of unaddressed feelings, literally
Around my belly as a bubble of protection
When in fact it was the very thing killing me
Slowly, it had patience
Even if I didn’t
Self destruct and damaging
Convinced I could outrun it all
I didn’t want to slow down and give them space
But my running shoes are worn out
And all I have is now
What would it look like if I loved myself?
Says the poster on my wall
Simple things, common sense things
Things most people take for granted
But it starts with self love
And wanting to live
Wanting to create a future
Planting a garden believing in tomorrow
Believing in myself that I can make it to tomorrow
Wanting to see tomorrow
And taking care today
Slowing down to do the things that can be valued tomorrow
Meal prepping, exercising, Journaling, setting myself up for success
Valuing myself and giving myself life
When I finally slowed down to listen
I heard the desire for my best life
And I decided it was time for change

Written from a prompt in a creative writing group I facilitate. You can check it out and request to join us here: https://m.facebook.com/groups/213087289131266/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT