It’ll stop any day now

“i don’t need to be liked. people pleasing and fawning served as a survival mechanism in the past but i’m an adult now i am capable of providing my own internal locus of validation. i dont have to fundamentally alter myself to fit each person,” i say thru gritted teeth, gripping the edge of the sink so hard it leaves claw marks

we’re gonna be ok btw

it’s ok if you’re scared. or tired. or unsure. or one million billion other complicated emotions at once. but i’ve decided things are going to be ok anyway. and i will hold that belief close to my heart no matter how scared or tired or lonely or depressed or one million billion other things i am. i will hold onto that. and if you’re scared, you can hold onto me. we can carry each other through

everyone avert your eyes [expresses a standard human emotion] [illogically experiences shame even with only myself as witness]

*through gritted teeth* you are not a child taking a test with the purpose of getting the highest score, you are an adult trying new things and finding ways to enjoy your life, make mistakes, be a beginner, be mediocre, be where you need to be, be unlikeable, just. be.

[ Text ID: When I loved, I loved deeply. It wasn't often. ]