Learning to Soften

It’s so easy to shut down after trauma.
To close yourself off from further pain.
That was my default for half my life.

And honestly, it made sense.
It felt safer to have a wall up.

But the real work—the real courage—
is choosing to heal.
To forgive others.
To forgive yourself.

And then, somehow,
to give yourself permission to be happy
despite everything.

It takes strength to be soft.
To be open-hearted again.
To feel moments of joy and let them in.

I’m still learning.
But I’m starting to trust the softness.

Writing Prompt:

When have you hardened yourself to survive?
What would it feel like to soften — even just a little —
and trust that joy is still meant for you?