You aren't "just" anything.

I hate the word "just." It's reductive. Diminishing. Minimizing.

I hate it when people say, "If this doesn't work, I'll just do that that."

"That" is a shit option. I've done "that". It's ok if a station you're waiting for another train at. We'll all been there. What it can't be is a place to settle, which is what "I'll just do that" sounds like.

I also hate it when people say, "I'm just ______________." I hear young women do this in particular.

I'm just a teacher.

I'm just starting out.

I'm just a student.

I'm just a single mom.

Those are big ass things.

You aren't "just" anything. You're something. Somebody. Not just a body, but somebody. You're doing things. You're trying. You're thinking. You're planning. You're waiting. You're rehashing. You're struggling. You're hustling. You're healing.

We are all ALL of these things all of the time. So don't minimize yourself. Don't misrepresent your experiences as unworthy. Don't cast yourself as dismissible, because if you do, you will become all of those things: minimal, unworthy, and dismissible.

Own who and what you are. Be proud.

I am a writer.

I am a creator.

I am making a difference.

I am building a life.