I used to think being nice

 I used to think being nice was the same as being good.

So I let people walk all over me.
I stayed quiet when I should have spoken up.
I said yes when my body screamed no.
I kept the peace while my soul broke in silence.

But being nice didn’t protect me.
It drained me.
It made me small.
It made me feel like love had to be earned by shrinking who I was.

Now?
I’m not nice anymore.
I have boundaries.
I say what I mean.
I protect my peace, even if it makes others uncomfortable.

I’m not nice.
But I am kind.
I am soft when it matters and fierce when I need to be.

I’m a good person.
Not because I let everyone in.
But because I finally learned how to let myself matter too.

That’s the difference.