We were trained to be composed, capable, and considerate.
To manage situations quietly.
To endure with grace.

That training gave us poise, perception, and emotional intelligence.
What it did not teach us was that grace should never require self-sacrifice.

Keeping the strengths now means:
✨ composure without compliance
✨ empathy without endurance
✨ generosity without depletion
✨ love without disappearance

Calm is not complacency.
Kindness is not availability.
And dignity was never meant to cost us our wellbeing.

We don’t lose who we are when we stop over-giving —
we finally keep ourselves.