The Shadow

Every time you stand in the light,
a shadow forms.

Not because something is wrong.
But because perception is inevitable.

People will see you differently
than you see yourself.

From one angle, you are confident.
From another, distant.
From one perspective, ambitious.
From another, intimidating.

The same person.
Different interpretations.

Look at the image.

She stands still.
But her shadow stretches longer than she does.

It exaggerates.
It reshapes.
It tells its own version.

That is what perception does.

You cannot control how others project you.
You cannot shrink your presence
to match everyone’s comfort.

Being seen differently
is not a flaw.

It is proof that you exist in multiple dimensions.

The real strength
is accepting that.

Not fighting every misunderstanding.
Not chasing every narrative.
Not explaining yourself into exhaustion.

Some will see the shadow.
Some will see the light.

Maturity is knowing
you are both.

And still standing anyway.