Second guessing
Worrying
What if I didn't do well
What if I still don't get it

A change of thinking
Must happen
Ruminating
Marinating
In ones own thoughts
Of possible failure
Is wrong

As I proceed through life
Especially through now
Second year of my doctorate
There will be times
I won't always know
What I'm doing

But something I must work on
Is change of thinking
To train my mind
Both from the beginning
And things I used to know

Because only away
From self-questioning
Will I make the most
Positive movement forward

I've never been perfect
So trying for the upkeep of
Being a perfectionist is
Impossible to keep

My change of thinking
Has already begun with
Step by step
As opposed to leaps and bounds

With every accomplishment
I learn to hold my head up high
As opposed to hiding and shrinking

I can say that
I am proud of myself
As I continue to learn
Towards positivity
Away from negativity

I am NOT the Hashimoto's
I am NOT the MDD and anxiety
I am the NOT Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
They don't define me

I am proud
I am a warrior
I am free to be me