“Should” is one of the quietest ways we abandon ourselves.

It sounds responsible. Mature. Like we have a grip on life.

But most of the time, “should” isn’t coming from truth. It’s coming from comparison, timelines we didn’t choose, or rules we absorbed without ever questioning.

“I should be further along.”

“I should have figured this out by now.”

“I shouldn’t feel this way.”

Look at how fast that turns into self-punishment.

“Should” creates a version of you that exists somewhere else…

and then measures your real, breathing life against it.

You’re always behind in that equation. Always lacking. Always late.

But what if the problem isn’t where you are?

What if the pressure is coming from believing you’re supposed to be somewhere you’re not?

Remove “should” for a second and something interesting happens.

You’re not behind anymore.

You’re just… here.

And from here, you can actually move.