attention-seeking behavior

is not unhealthy

when it makes sure you

understand you are valuable.

 

Maybe no one told you you were

beautiful or smart or kind when

you were small enough to believe,

or, god forbid, told you those things,

those things that made people smile,

were the worst parts of you.

 

Maybe they laughed,

put you on edge for anytime

someone else is uncomfortable

with your talents and wants to hide.

 

And I bet it hurts now, hearing these things,

it hurts to realize you're broken,

ugly, stupid, angry, mean, and sad,

but at least you aren't complimenting yourself.

 

At least you aren't hurting yourself, are you?

 

Leaving contusions, lacerations, trauma in your psyche

that heal so, so agonizingly 

slowly

that

it 

feels

like a 

permanent part of who you are?

 

Are you?

 

Are you trying to retrain your brain

by having other people tell you again,

and again and again, and forever

that you are worthwhile,

beautiful, funny, responsible,

worthy of pride,

and, god forbid, smart?

That it's okay to show off,

even if it makes some people realize

they aren't the same, and they become

un-com-fort-able.

 

It's okay.