why should we try to be ourselves? what if we aren't our crush's type? isn't life all about changing? yes, but not for other people.

"just be yourself" is cliche, but it's also difficult.

being genuine isn't easy. it means opening yourself up to criticism and discomfort. but the pay off is being able to live your life in a way that feels real, not like you're having to fit a mold.

stop performing for your crush. a real partner will be attracted to you for the person you are. but is only put on display if you truly let it.

sending you lots of love and peeeeeeaaaaaaaace!https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

I used to ignore my own pain.

I didn't see it as something I needed to address because I could always find a distraction to get me thinking about something else. it worked for a while, until suddenly I found myself deep in a trench that I couldn't see out of.

we experience pain because our body wants us to address an issue. we feel pain emotionally because our mind wants us to just acknowledge that something isn't right.

listen to yourself, you'll be happy you did.

sending you lots of love and peaaaaaaaaaaace!https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

if you wait for the applause, it'll never come.

we often wait for others to celebrate us so much that we forget why we do things in our own lives.

don't get me wrong, being celebrated is a great feeling. I love being told that I'm doing a good job. however, that only feels genuine when I'm working on doing something that matters to me.

if I focus too much on how I will be perceived and what it will do for others, I lose track of the essence of who I am.

be yourself, be genuine, and most importantly, celebrate yourself.

sending you lots of love and peaaaaaaaaaaace!

⁠https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

life is suffering.

so if we're going to go through hardships regardless, maybe it's worth giving ourselves grace.

in my life, I've found the most peace when I consciously decide to look into the positive side of the challenges I face. it isn't easy, but it makes things just that much more better.

maybe optimism drives you nuts, but don't knock it until you've given it a fair shot.

sending you lots of love and peaaaaaaaace!

⁠https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

it's time to crash out.

whenever I let myself feel the negative emotions that have hindered my ability to feel good about myself, I end up learning what the root of my suffering is.

maybe instead of suppressing your frustration, give it the time of day.

Sometimes all we need is for our thoughts to be acknowledged so that we can keep moving forward.

you got this, I believe in you.

sending you lots of love and peaaaaaaaaace!

https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

life never goes according to plan.

you can try to push back on the changes, but rolling with the punches allows you to build something better for yourself.

just as long as you keep swimming through the trenches, you'll make it to where you need to go.

don't hold back, just stay in there.

sending you lots of love and peaaaaaaaaace!https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

I know deep down we don't want to seem like we care, but we do.

I've learned to accept the fact that I missed my ex-partner at one point or another. there's no shame in it. but I also know there is a big difference between the person they are and the person I "fell in love" with.

feel those emotions, feel the sadness, feel the pain of seeing them with someone else. we need to feel these things in order to make a change for the better. at least I think so.

sending you all lots of love and peaaaaaace!https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

you were meant for more. maybe you cringe thinking about it because you're scared of how other people would perceive you, but it's true.

if you feel like your current situation isn't working, it's your responsibility to do something about it. and usually, that means leaving your old self behind.

you got this.

I'm sending you lots of love and peaaaaaaaaace!https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

sometimes we need to treat ourselves as if we were a D.I.Y. project that your dad was obsessed with even though your mom begged him to "just buy it" at Menards or Home Depot.

it takes time to change, but more importantly, it takes evidence.

if you feel like the evidence is stacked against the person you want to be, you won't believe in your progress. just try to focus on the things you can do for your new self, even if it's a small thing each day.

sending you all lots of love and peaaaaaaaaace!!!⁠https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠

I used to run to relationships as a way to distract myself from my own fear of being alone.I was convinced I was never going to be worthy enough to be loved by someone else.

it was after I accepted my irrational fear as a possibility that I finally started to live life on my terms.

ask yourself if you're dating someone because you like them and who they are, or are you just entertaining a person to help you forget about the work you still need to do?

sending you lots of love and peaaaaaaace!⁠https://stan.store/thezurkieshow⁠