“From birth, she was gifted,
charming, talented, and clever;
and so, based on achievement
her worth she would measure.
Compliments got her high;
Accomplishments, intoxicated.
Success corrupted her mind
until she was numb to adoration.
Praise provided no pleasure;
her euphoria was sedated.
Every new endeavour
stripped her of motivation.
Confidence withdrawals.
Overdosing on doubt.
Deteriorating self-esteem.
A gifted kid burns out.”
To the girl who wrote that poem,
I want to hug you. I want to hold you as you try to hold yourself together. I want to wipe your eyes while you stifle your cries.
I know you have good intentions, but you got lost in translation; became manipulated by your malicious misinterpretation.
You saw how your energy inspired people, how your efforts made your parents proud, so you made that your personality.
I know that, fundamentally, being praised is healthy. But everyone forgets the warning against too much of a good thing.
Did you know that your biggest motivation was going to morph into your biggest monster?
To the girl who wrote that poem,
I want to hug you. I want to cure this ‘perfection’ poisoning your mind. I want to rehabilitate you from this addiction.
I know that praise is intoxicating and that it makes waking up every day a little easier. But when praise is the pedestal that you place your peace on, it becomes just as unstable as your mind.
I know it’s the only language you understand but do you know that there is more to life than pleasing people?
To the girl who wrote that poem,
I want to hug you. I want to tell you that you do not need to work for love because there is Someone who freely gives it to you.
I want to show you what happens when you realise you are fearfully and wonderfully made by a Creator who never makes mistakes.
I know it will take time to re-learn what you have been taught to believe, but I want to see you thrive and grow into a strong, beautiful woman.
To the girl who wrote that poem,
I want to hug you, but how do you hug a reflection?
POET: Naomi Janmaat