When being good means to loose yourself

Lidya always struggled to be herself. All she ever wanted was to be remembered as a good person. She didn’t know what price she was paying for that.

There was a time when her entire world revolved around pleasing others—her parents, her siblings, even acquaintances she barely knew. She thought that if she could make everyone around her happy, they would love her unconditionally. But deep down, she was terrified. The idea of someone thinking negatively about her sent shivers down her spine.

“You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep others warm. Being good should never come at the cost of losing yourself.”

It started small—saying yes when she meant no, agreeing with opinions she didn’t believe in, offering help when she was exhausted. But over time, it grew. She sacrificed her dreams to fit into the mold others had created for her. She abandoned her own desires to meet the expectations of those around her. She smiled when she wanted to cry. She apologized when she wasn’t at fault. She forgave when her heart was still bleeding.

But the truth about pleasing everyone is that it never ends. The more she gave, the more people expected. The more she tried to be perfect, the more they found flaws.

One day, it all became too much. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at a reflection that felt like a stranger. She whispered to herself, Who am I, really?

The question haunted her. She realized she had spent so much time shaping herself into what others wanted that she had lost her own identity. Her happiness, her peace, her dreams—buried under the weight of expectations.

That night, for the first time in years, she made a decision. She wouldn’t live for others anymore. She would choose herself.

The journey wasn’t easy. Saying no felt like a rebellion. Choosing herself felt selfish. But with each step, she felt lighter. She started doing things because she wanted to, not because she had to. She surrounded herself with people who accepted her for who she truly was.

And one day, when she looked in the mirror, she saw herself—not the version others wanted, but the person she was always meant to be.

She finally understood: Being a good person didn’t mean losing yourself. It meant being true to yourself.

And for the first time in her life, Lidya felt free.