I stopped before the body had to force me

Dear Delyara, I have spent too many years waiting until my body became undeniable. Waiting for louder symptoms, sharper moods, more obvious exhaustion, clearer evidence that care was now “reasonable.” This week I stopped earlier. I listened to the first signal instead of demanding the last warning. That feels wiser than almost any version of pushing through I used to call strength. I want more of my life built on earlier listening. This week, I moved a little closer to that.