This piece is a reminder that other people’s needs are as important as our own as well as a reminder of why self-care is essential.

When you are walking on shattered glass
every step is painful. 
It does not matter how calculated each movement is
or 
how well you control each muscle. 
You could try walking in socks 
to protect your feet
but
the glass will always cut through. 
You could put on sneakers to step over the fallen pieces 
but 
at the end of the day, the glass 
can still cut you.
There is no treading lightly,
 you got to sweep up the glass. 
Sweep it up so no one can be cut. 
Think about everyone else, not wanting to cause them the rush of blood coming from 
their feet. 
But as you sweep remember to 
be careful 
with yourself.
When 
the glass pierces your skin, you should have known to put on gloves.
It’s too late. 
The broken glass
becomes 
thousands of mirrors all reflecting back on you. 
Don’t look away

Process

When writing this piece, I debated my friendship with people I have known for years. This piece clarified how I put others first although they would not do the same for me. I learned that I should devote my time to bettering myself to be who I want to be and to prioritize my goals.