Subtle Shifts in the Way I Take Space

micro changes I've noticed over time

Longer pauses in conversations

No longer hurrying when I cross the street as a car waits at a stop sign

Being able to say “I need some time”

Telling someone “No, I don’t like that”

Or letting a “I don’t know” to be sufficient

Asking questions when ordering my food

Making all the micro-adjustments to my coffee order 

Investing in nice clothes that fit my postpartum body

Not trying to squeeze back into what used to fit

Letting my needs for space be important in early motherhood

(Is it always met? No. And that’s OK.)

(But allowing the need to simply exist.)

Deciding when I want to use my voice

And when I don’t.