What I learned in a year...

I can't believe it has been a year. What a painfully wonderful and beautiful year of growing and learning and overcoming. I learned in a year how to fight for myself when you wouldn't fight for me. Because you let me go I learned how to hold myself close. I learned that my own happiness comes first and I should never sacrifice who I am to please anyone else. I learned that pain is a great teacher. I learned how to value myself, my thoughts, and my feelings through the hurt.

The Rachel I was a year ago is not the same person living and breathing today. The Rachel on October 14, 2016 was broken. She was destroyed beyond recognition. She didn't even recognize her own face in the mirror. The girl standing in the mirror on October 14, 2017 may look the same but inside she feels different. What was broken has healed, although the scars will forever remain. What was destroyed is whole once again.

I was promised something a little over a year ago and that promise was broken. So instead of waiting for another promise to be broken, I am making a promise to myself. I promise to know what I'm worth and what I deserve. I promise to not allow anyone to have my heart without proving themselves. This is what I promise to myself. I promise to love myself and take care of myself even when no one else does.

I know this season of growth isn't over but I'm so amazed at how far I have come. I've learned that always sometimes isn't enough. That forever sometimes comes to an end. That love can hurt sometimes. But having courage to face the next day and being kind to yourself on the bad days makes all the difference.