Keep F*CKING GOING

Once upon a time, I was naïve and small.

My voice barely existed. I lived in the shadows of other people’s wings, letting their convictions guide my decisions because I didn’t trust my own. I was protected from harm, and because of that, I didn’t understand that the devil can exist in everyday men and women.

I did not deserve the pain.

I did not deserve the emotional turmoil or the abuse — a word I still struggle to fully accept as something that happened to me.

But I do believe the woman it created is exactly who I was meant to become.

That meek little girl still exists.

But she is protected with strength, tenacity and an unwavering determination to not be fooled again.

She does not lie down when someone tries to walk all over her.

She pays attention.

She questions.

She takes nothing at face value.

People no longer tell her who they are with words.

They show her with their actions — and she believes them.

Is she jaded? I hope not.

But she is no longer naïve.

Everything that happens to us can take us in different directions.

Sometimes the hardest thing is putting one foot in front of the other when you want to stop trying.

But the moment you give up and stay down, you hand power back to the voices that hurt you — the ones who tried to break you.

So rise above the bullshit.

Choose peace on purpose, even when it’s hard, even when you’re tired, even when you’re set back.

You won’t win every time.

You won’t be perfect.

But you can overcome.

You can rise.

Be the untethered version of yourself you always knew was there but were afraid to live as.

Start today.

One step. One moment.

Forgive yourself. Care for yourself.

We get one life — just one — with many chapters.

Don’t end the story because of one painful section.

KEEP FUCKING GOING.

— Untethered Warrior