I carry shame like a badge of honour — with more power over me than it should have. For years, I thought holding onto it made me accountable, even disciplined. I told myself it was how I stayed grounded, how I avoided repeating mistakes.
But the truth is, shame doesn’t keep you humble; it keeps you small. It makes you apologise for simply being human. I’m learning to unlearn that — to trade shame for self-awareness, accountability for compassion, and guilt for growth.
It’s still a work in progress. Some days I wear it more lightly; other days, it clings. But I’m learning that healing isn’t about erasing the past — it’s about refusing to let it define your worth.
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