break your glass slippers (You Are Your Own Fairy Tale)

by Amanda Lovelace

fairy godmother says you don’t need to look a certain way to deserve someone’s heart. no matter your shape— no matter your size— be proud of all the space your body dares to take up.

their lack of love for you does not make you any less loveable.

when you spend all your time imagining yourself in other people’s shoes, your own story goes unwritten, & there is nothing more painful than that.

whenever somebody asks her how she’s been holding up, she can never bring herself to tell them how she’s truly feeling inside. it’s always fine or great or amazing, but how are you? the last thing she would ever want to do is inconvenience them—or worse, seem self-involved. —she just wants one person to catch her in the lie.

speak your truth— no matter what. afterward, take careful note of who not only listens but steps up to applaud your bravery.

who you want to kiss is not a problem as long as you get permission first.

you are limitless. you can have the lipstick. you can have the sword.

he is not the standard by which you should be measuring your worth in this world. before he came along, you were a fierce wonder to behold. you will continue to be that long after he walks away from you.

infatuation is not love, just like a love potion is only temporary & often causes more harm than good.

you, my dear, rule yourself. you wear the crown. you sit on the throne. you—not them. make sure they never forget that.

it’s not a character flaw to care too much, but it can drain you until you have nothing left to give yourself.

when he comes back, he comes back missing her body, but not her—never her. —self-portrait.

get that head out of the stars. here’s a secret: your fairy godmother is inside you. you only need to believe in her for your every wish to come true. (no wand necessary.)

you were never able to make time for me. now that you’re gone, i make time for myself. never have i been more content in a relationship. —muted & blocked.

how does it feel to know that i’ll always be the girl who got away? how does it feel to know that you’ll always be the fuckboy who lost her? —the curse.

there is nothing unfeminist about the girl who chooses the ball gown & the prince. there is everything unfeminist about those who try to shame her for her choices.

i’m done being afraid of what other people think of me. if you want to judge me, i won’t stop you. i’ll be over here, being flawless in every flaw. —confidence.

if you do it to protect your mental health, then it is not cruel, nor is it selfish.

i stopped wondering when the next chapter would finally begin, & i started writing it instead. —how i got out of my own way.