Compliments have always made me uncomfortable. I love giving them, making people feel good about themselves, and pointing out the things they might not even realize are special. But when the tables are turned, and someone compliments me? I get awkward. I change the subject. I brush it off.
But there was one compliment that stuck with me—maybe because it wasn’t just about something superficial like my outfit or my hair. It was about who I am and how much I’ve grown.
“You’ve come a long way. Your confidence has grown so much. You used to be shy, especially dealing with epilepsy as a teenager. But now, if something isn’t right, you speak your mind.”
Hearing that stopped me in my tracks. It made me reflect on how much I have changed. As a teenager, epilepsy was something that made me feel different. It made me cautious, self-conscious, and often quiet. I hated drawing attention to myself, and I would rarely stand up for what I believed in.
But over time, I found my voice. I learned that my feelings and opinions mattered. I stopped worrying so much about how people would react and started speaking up when I needed to. That didn’t happen overnight—it was a slow process, one that I didn’t even fully notice until someone pointed it out to me.
And even though I still squirm when I get a compliment, this one meant something. It reminded me that growth isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it’s in the small moments when you say what’s on your mind instead of staying silent. It’s in realizing that the things you once struggled with don’t define you.
So, while I may always prefer giving compliments over receiving them, I’ll hold onto this one. Because sometimes, the words we resist the most are the ones we need to hear.
Wanderlust & shutter bliss 