A poet's advice: "for some reason, I just can’t seem to love myself the way I know I should..."

A poet's advice

Welcome to A Poet’s Advice: my new monthly advice column on Substack. It’s simple. Since you asked, I’ll give you advice. The catch? I’m only responding with a poem. <3

Dear Maria,

I feel like I’m stuck in this weird in-between space. I’m 32 years old, single, and while I’m grateful for the life I’ve built (it’s pretty effing cool. I’m a marine biologist.) I can’t help but feel like something’s missing. I’ve got my little apartment in the city, ten plants that I care for like they’re my children, and a cat who’s probably the only “person” I see every day. But for some reason, I just can’t seem to love myself the way I know I should. It comes in waves, every few months, but lately creeping in at least once a month.

I’ve been trying to take care of myself — therapy, yoga, cooking healthy meals, all that stuff. I’ve even written a poem or two to your prompts. But there are still days when I feel like I’m not enough. Like I’m not doing enough, or not being enough. I know that sounds like a broken record, but it’s hard not to feel that way when I look around and see people who seem to have it all together. They’re in relationships, they have kids, they have social lives that don’t involve texting a friend once a week to check in, and then rearranging plans after they bail every other week. (Why is this the norm?)

I guess I just need to hear that other people feel like this too from time to time. That maybe you do too sometimes?

Thanks for reading,

A friend

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Dear friend,

Love,

Maria

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P.S. If you’d like to submit a question, please email apoetgivesadvice@gmail.com.

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