Trying too hard.
The second time, I imagined relatives exchanging amused glances.
Doesn’t she know she’s too old for that?
The third time, I stood in front of the mirror wearing the dress once again.
And that’s when something unexpected happened.
I became tired.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Tired of shrinking.
Tired of apologizing for existing.
Tired of acting as though growing older meant becoming less visible.
I looked directly at my reflection.
And for the first time in days, I asked myself a simple question.
What if I wear it anyway?
To be continued…
