Has anyone told you that you are appreciated? Have you been told that someone is proud of you for your accomplishments?
Well, if no one else has or if you’ve received these words of affirmation in abundance, let me introduce myself. Hi, I’m Taylor Lafayette and I want you to think of me as your friend for a second. The person reading this may be a close friend, acquaintance, or a complete stranger, but I must let you know you are valued and I appreciate you.
Kindness isn’t something shared in this world often enough. We turn on the television and find countless slanders and remarks of negativity. We turn to social media only to have yet another issue made clear. We turn to our friends oftentimes to see that they too struggle.
If you are the strong friend of the group, you are often turned to for advice and guidance and are more than willing to offer it. But, oftentimes, your friends see you as “strong” so much that they don’t feel the need to return the favor. It’s not that they don’t care, they just don’t realize you also need the affirmation and appreciation.
I’ve learned that the reliable friend yields their emotional needs to tend to everyone else’s, and in the middle of it all, often forgets to check on themselves. Please, be selfish sometimes.
I am not saying completely ignore those around you, but do focus on yourself. Take time to make sure that your needs are addressed and that your emotional and mental wellness is up to par. How can you possibly take on everyone else’s problems while ignoring your own? (yes, I AM CALLING YOU OUT!!)
Trying to solve everyone’s problems but your own can be seen as a way of you avoiding yours. This is not healthy behavior, friend. I want to see you at your best self. I want your mental and emotional health to be at the highest it has ever been. I want you to find the value in yourself and appreciate it.
You are loved.
You are valued.
You will be successful and live out your dreams.
But, you must focus on yourself. You must learn to take care of yourself. You must remove yourself from the back burner and move it to the very first.
Friend,
You are already great and today and everyday from now you add to the world a beauty almost overwhelming. And we welcome it.
Remain Kind,
The Strong Friend.
