That Girl Who Is Learning To Smile

I used to believe I was unlovable.

My earliest memories aren’t of lullabies or laughter—but of fear. My mother taught me that eye contact meant punishment, that being born a girl meant I wasn’t wanted. I learned to disappear in plain sight, to avoid attention, and to be silent. My childhood was a maze of cruelty, confusion, and questions that never got answered.

I carry the echoes of a wounded inner child—a child who never felt safe. But I also carry her courage.

Today, I write not because I have all the answers, but because I’m still figuring it out. I’m still learning to smile. Still healing, one word, one tear, and one truth at a time.

This space is where I leave the doors open—for honesty, for vulnerability, for those who’ve been hurt and are still here, still breathing, still hoping.

If you’ve ever felt broken, invisible, or too much to love—this is for you.
You are not alone.
And neither am I.

— That Girl Who Is Learning To Smile 🌙