Rise Up

“Let ‘em Choke”

You’ve probably seen this in stories, posts, and comments all across the internet.

It’s a sentiment with some rough edges, but the underlying message is sound.

We’ve all heard the phrase or have been told:

“Be Nice.”

Telling someone to be Nice is telling them to be digestible but with softer edges.

Being “Nice” is a mask. A role and being Digestible is Nice’s not-so-distant cousin.

Being digestible is assimilation.

It’s shrinking yourself and playing small to make other people comfortable.

It’s self-abandonment for the sake of appearing pleasing and friendly.

Being digestible is inauthentic.

I spent years shrinking and holding back, convincing myself that I was being pleasant and pleasing and that I was being friendly, but in reality….

“I was learning how to make myself digestible… I wasn’t being my authentic self.”

~ Amadla Sternberg

I was forcing myself to fit into a box that was placed in front of me. That was chosen for me.

Not because it was who I was or because it was who I wanted to be, but because I was people-pleasing.

I was chopping myself up into small digestible chunks so that I could get ahead or get by, but…

We’re not doing that anymore.

Because playing small is canceled.

Don’t put yourself in a box.

Be clear, because clear is kind, and kindness is who you really are, so…

Be exactly who you are.

Bring your Full self to the table and respectfully, “Let ‘em Choke.”

Rid yourself of EVERYTHING that has held you hostage.

Every lie you held as truth.

Every person, situation, or thing that held you captive and RISE up.

It’s Time.

Love.