I will no longer apologize for…

intensity
sensitivity
stretch marks
flab
acne
wrinkles
grey hairs
my breasts
frizzy hair
my belly
hormones
sex
masturbating
touching my body
loving my body
being nasty
smelling like my body
menstruation
being bossy
acting superior
laughing too loud
daydreaming
idealism
being impractical
being irrational
being rude
being blunt
aggression
crying
anger
compassion
being progressive
being liberal
saying no
saying yes
not believing in God
finding my own way
confusion
talking about my trauma
healing
being confident
disagreeing
being political
engaging in “identity politics”
being anti-racist
being feminist
picking fights
defending my beliefs
speaking up
asking questions
challenging ideas
learning
moving slowly
staying still
having no plan
changing my mind
protecting my heart
protecting my kids
protecting my husband
letting my husband protect me
having a “self” apart from my family
being a loner
being weird
being awkward
being crazy
talking too much
using big words
being analytical
being offensive
being intelligent