Patty Roe

One day you realize you’re showing up to situations, conversations, even friendships, with the unspoken goal of proving yourself. Trying to make everyone happy. Trying to fix what feels off. Wondering why you’re exhausted, second-guessing yourself, or worse—feeling small in spaces where you used to feel big and bright.

We often think of bullies as those harsh, critical voices around us—like that judgmental relative at Thanksgiving or the internet troll who clearly has too much free time—but have you ever considered the loudest bully might actually be living rent-free in your own head?

The simple truth is we don’t protect and take care of what we don’t hold in high regard. So, the way you treat yourself and how you let…