17 Comments
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Seungyeon Jeong's avatar

Beautiful piece. I deeply resonate with the idea that understanding ourselves first makes it easier to truly understand others.

I didn’t know myself well for a long time either, and that made connection hard. I’m still learning, still getting to know myself—and it’s nice to meet a fellow traveler on that path.

M.L. Allen's avatar

Thanks for reading. Hey, I'm here for the long haul and accountability. Both ways. We can do this!

Aliwritesherlife's avatar

This is your journey to take care of you :)

M.L. Allen's avatar

100 percent. Working on it daily

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

Very good.

M.L. Allen's avatar

Thanks so much

Mackenzie's avatar

This is awesome, Mark — I’m happy you’re finally giving yourself permission to put YOU first. You’ve given so much to everyone else for so long, and you deserve the same level of care and attention. Can’t wait to cheer you on as you keep building this new chapter.

M.L. Allen's avatar

Thanks my friend! So thankful to have you in my corner

Be Budding's avatar

It is a beautiful and necessary thing to take care of yourself.

M.L. Allen's avatar

Completely. This is still arelatively new concept to me.

Be Budding's avatar

Same here, let’s navigate this uncharted way of being together.

M.L. Allen's avatar

Sounds like a plan.

Be Budding's avatar

😄

Alina - Diary of a Dancer's avatar

They say the hardest part is taking those first steps… first steps of a new story. Well done for putting yourself first.

M.L. Allen's avatar

Thank you. The key is not trying to make every change at once. One every couple of weeks or so is my approach

Wildwood Writer's avatar

This is a powerful and honest reckoning, and it takes real courage to admit that generosity without boundaries can slowly hollow a person out. Choosing to tend to yourself isn’t a withdrawal from love or service; it’s a way of making sure the care you give comes from fullness rather than exhaustion. There is something deeply admirable in taking this slow, intentional path and allowing your own life to finally take up space alongside everyone else’s.