You are allowed

to not be there yet.

To rewrite the text

four times

before sending it.

To show up

not knowing

if anyone will speak to you.

To be in the middle

of something

that has no shape yet.

The pressure

to have arrived

before you have begun

is not ambition.

It is the algorithm

speaking

in your own voice.

The rough edge

is not something

to smooth away.

It is the only part

that is still

entirely yours.

— AËLA