06/02/2026
Lesson 8: Sometimes, it's better to let go than fight for it.
I’m already in the first few weeks of my 30s, and so far I’ve discovered a lot about myself.
How I tried to fight things.
How I constantly pressured myself to achieve things that may be good at face value
but not really valuable in my life.
How I beat myself up for most of my 20 years of existence.
How I always pleased other people
at the expense of forgetting my worth.
Writing this isn’t easy,
but letting this out is freeing.
Sometimes, it’s not control that can ease your worries and pain.
More often than not,
it’s letting go.
There were many instances that I have failed in my personal and professional life,
not because I lacked effort,
but because I chose not to see me for me.
I didn’t choose myself.
I failed to see what’s in me—
my capabilities,
my value,
and my worth as a person.
I kept repeating the negative things people say about me,
and I never, not even once,
erased the indelible marks of shame they’re labeling me with.
What’s worse is I didn’t just get those from strangers
(not that I care),
but I got them from the people I love.
They thought those words didn’t affect me,
but they failed to see the magnitude it has incurred in my life.
Those words have affected me in many ways
I couldn’t comprehend
until recently.
And then, I realized and absorbed this learning:
YOU CAN NEVER CONTROL EVERYONE’S THOUGHTS, ACTIONS, FEELINGS, OR WORDS.
YOU CAN NEVER CONTROL HOW THEY TREAT YOU.
YOU CAN NEVER CONTROL HOW PEOPLE VIEW YOU.
But know this:
YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR OWN THOUGHTS, ACTIONS, AND WORDS.
YOU CAN LET GO OF THE THINGS THAT FETTERED YOU FOR YEARS.
YOU CAN LET GO OF YOUR MISTAKES AND START ANEW.
YOU CAN RECLAIM YOUR LIFE SLOWLY BUT SURELY.
One day,
you can look at yourself in the mirror
and recognize that it’s your face—
because you know your worth now.
You know that no matter how many times people trample you,
you will never be trampled.
Because you can always get back on your feet
and come back stronger than before.