Someone Once Called Me a Marshmallow, and I Learned to Embrace it

Osasikemwen Ighile
3 min readOct 23, 2024

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I’ve always been that girl with a soft heart — someone once called me a marshmallow, and honestly, that description fits perfectly. I find it easy to welcome people into my life and forgive them, often way too quickly. Even when I was still feeling hurt or angry, I rushed to say, “It’s okay,” just to avoid being seen as a bad person. My friends used to joke that I was “too nice” and “too forgiving.” They meant well, but sometimes their comments made me question if my kindness was actually a weakness.

Growing up, the only language I understood was love. My family was always there for me, showering me with care and warmth. I watched my sisters nurture me with their kindness, and I assumed everyone in the world operated the same way. I was shocked when I faced harsh realities and met people who didn’t treat others with the same respect. The painful experiences that followed made me question my worldview, and I often found myself getting hurt — sometimes in friendships, other times in relationships that didn’t work out as I’d hoped.

At one point, I even prayed for a tougher heart, wishing I could be more resilient and less affected by the hurt I felt. But through it all, I learned something important: my marshmallow heart is one of my greatest strengths. No matter what life threw at me, I held onto my ability to love and refused to let bitterness take root in my spirit. Sometimes, I wondered if I was meant to be a sacrificial lamb of sorts, experiencing these challenges so I could learn, grow, and ultimately help others who might face similar struggles.

Now, I understand that being soft doesn’t mean I’m weak. It means I have a depth of feeling that allows me to connect with others in meaningful ways. I’ve come to appreciate that my kindness and empathy are gifts. Instead of trying to suppress them, I’m learning to embrace them wholeheartedly. It’s all about finding that balance between being open-hearted and being protective of my peace.

I’ve also realized the importance of being more selective about who I let into my life. I take my time to truly understand people before I invest my emotions in them. This doesn’t mean I’ll stop being kind; it just means I’m learning to be intentional with my love. Not everyone deserves access to my heart, and that’s okay.

It’s been a journey, and I know I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but I always strive to learn from them. I seek wise counsel from my closest friends and sisters, asking for their insights and advice. I pray for discernment and the strength to make tough decisions, even when they feel painful.

For those of us with soft hearts, it’s important to remember that our experiences shape us, but they don’t have to harden us. Every moment — good and bad — teaches us something valuable. Embracing our softness can be a source of strength and resilience. It’s a reminder that we can still shine brightly, even when faced with challenges.

So, if you’ve ever felt like your kind nature is a burden or a weakness, let me tell you: don’t let the world change you. Your marshmallow heart is a beautiful gift. Keep being you. The right people will come into your life and appreciate you for who you are. They’ll value your kindness and celebrate your softness.

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Osasikemwen Ighile
Osasikemwen Ighile

Written by Osasikemwen Ighile

In the midst of life’s chaos, I find solace in the quiet moments of introspection and reflection.

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