People always say kindness is free.
But that’s not really true, is it?
Sometimes it costs your time.
Sometimes it costs your peace.
And sometimes, it costs pieces of yourself that no one even notices you’re giving away.
I’m the person who shows up.
I check in. I listen. I calm storms that aren’t mine.
I pick up the phone when others don’t.
I take on the hard conversations. I try to make sure everyone else is okay—even when I’m not.
And most of the time, I don’t mind.
It feels good to be needed. To be the safe one.
To know that if nothing else, someone could count on me.
But sometimes...
It eats away at me.
Not because I want credit. Not because I want applause.
But because I get tired.
Because I wish—just once—someone would ask me if I’m okay without needing something.
Because I want to be the soft one sometimes too. Not just the strong one.
This isn’t a complaint. It’s just a truth.
A quiet one I’ve carried for a long time.
And maybe if I write it down, it won’t feel so heavy.
So if you’re someone who gives until it hurts…
If you’re the one everyone leans on, even when you’re crumbling inside…
Me too.
You’re not alone.
I'm still kind. I'm just learning to be kind to myself, too.
— XO, Roxy’s Hooman 🐝
