I Won’t Let You

 I will absolutely hype you up first.

New haircut? Elite.

Big move? Bold.

Trying something that scares you? Already proud.

Encouragement, to me, starts with reminding you that you’re capable.

Now — I will say — in the past I’ve been accused of being toxically positive.

Which… fair. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

There was a season where my instinct was to immediately fix, reframe, silver-line everything.

I’ve learned that not every hard moment needs a motivational quote.

Sometimes encouragement is just sitting in it with someone.

Letting it be heavy.

Letting it be frustrating.

Letting it be unfair.

I don’t rush people out of their feelings anymore.

I listen.

I validate.

I ask better questions.

And then — when the timing is right — I remind them who they are.

I’ll remind you of what you’ve already survived.

Of the strength you downplay.

Of the growth you can’t see because you’re living inside it.

Encouragement isn’t pretending it’s easy.

It’s saying, “This is hard — and you’re not alone.”

It’s saying, “Take a breath. We’ll figure it out.”

It’s saying, “You’re stronger than you think.”

I believe in hope.

But I also believe in honesty.

If you’re in my corner, you won’t get forced optimism.

You’ll get presence.

You’ll get truth.

You’ll get loyalty.

You don’t get to forget who you are.

And if you try —

I won’t let you.