The moment the chase lost its grip

It was 3:07 AM.

I couldn’t sleep.

Mind spinning. Body tense.

And in the middle of that chaos, a question dropped into me:

“Who are you trying to prove this to?”

Silence.

Stillness.

Then tears.

Because I realized…

Everything I was building —

was still trying to make the old version of me feel safe.

The boy who never felt seen.

The man who thought results meant worth.

That night I saw it:

You can’t build peace from insecurity.

You can only build through it.

I let go of the chase that night.

Not forever.

But enough to feel my pulse again.

And if you’re reading this in your own 3AM moment…

Pause.

Ask that question.

“Who am I trying to prove this to?”

The answer will humble you.

Heal you.

And free you.

Let it.

Been lying awake with that ache in your chest?

You're not alone.

Reply “awake” if you're ready to move forward — not faster, but freer.

—Justin