Ouffffff. Your writing is a gift. You have put into words what I couldn’t. Every word of this. I feel seen. Thank you for this. So beautifully written.
Absolutely wise beyond your years. As a Gen X mom of four Gen Z kids, I try to reassure them that these feelings are so real—and exhausting—but as you get older, you learn to care less. I am unsure if it's due to exhaustion, maturity, or a mix of both. But wow, I remember this feeling so vividly, and you describe it beautifully and so real. Thanks for sharing.
Every time I read one of your posts, I sigh and say, "that's just what I need to hear today." Your writing is so articulate and emotionally precise. Thank you for sharing your gift!
This is so validating. So often I feel so tired of “performing” different versions of myself for people and I don’t think I could have elaborated that feeling better. That’s how I also evaluate the close relationships in my life - the people that add value are the ones for whom I don’t need to perform, and whose company doesn’t leave me exhausted of putting up a version of me that will appeal to them.
this article helped articulate why there are days when i just want to hide from the world. it can be difficult being authentically me in front of others, but when i am i feel the most alive.
at the end of the day one really has to let go of the desire to be understood . If anything understanding yourself is the only thing that matters . people should really let go of the fear of how people will see them . once you stay rooted in yourself nothing else will bother you .
I just read the first paragraph to my 11 year old daughter, who being autistic has always felt the need to mask. This, she said, summed it up perfectly. Thank you for explaining something that is unexplainable 💜
This is one of the most beautifully written pieces I’ve ever read. What makes it so powerful is not just what you say, but how you say it, with so much gentleness, honesty, and space for contradiction. You don’t try to fix or simplify anything: you let the complexity exist. And somehow, that makes it feel safe.
Your words make people feel understood without having to perform understanding themselves. You hold up a mirror, but it’s a soft one. the kind that doesn’t judge but simply reflects: “Yes, this is also you. And it’s okay.” It’s rare to read something that doesn’t just describe a feeling, but accompanies it, quietly sitting next to you.
For me, it speaks to so much I’ve been moving through. especially the tension between being real and being legible, the exhaustion of being misunderstood, and the quiet ache of wanting to be fully seen without needing to overexplain. You’ve put words to something I’ve often only felt, and that in itself is such a gift.
Thank you for writing this. I will keep coming back to this for sure!!!
You have so beautifully put so many of my feelings and thoughts into words!! Being perceived IS exhausting, thank you for choosing to write about that.
Ouffffff. Your writing is a gift. You have put into words what I couldn’t. Every word of this. I feel seen. Thank you for this. So beautifully written.
Absolutely wise beyond your years. As a Gen X mom of four Gen Z kids, I try to reassure them that these feelings are so real—and exhausting—but as you get older, you learn to care less. I am unsure if it's due to exhaustion, maturity, or a mix of both. But wow, I remember this feeling so vividly, and you describe it beautifully and so real. Thanks for sharing.
Every time I read one of your posts, I sigh and say, "that's just what I need to hear today." Your writing is so articulate and emotionally precise. Thank you for sharing your gift!
This is so validating. So often I feel so tired of “performing” different versions of myself for people and I don’t think I could have elaborated that feeling better. That’s how I also evaluate the close relationships in my life - the people that add value are the ones for whom I don’t need to perform, and whose company doesn’t leave me exhausted of putting up a version of me that will appeal to them.
this is the most understood I have felt in a while. thank you!
Every word. Every sentence. Left me feeling raw, vulnerable, seen. This is a gift to all of us. ❤️
this article helped articulate why there are days when i just want to hide from the world. it can be difficult being authentically me in front of others, but when i am i feel the most alive.
at the end of the day one really has to let go of the desire to be understood . If anything understanding yourself is the only thing that matters . people should really let go of the fear of how people will see them . once you stay rooted in yourself nothing else will bother you .
I needed this message! The invisible labor of being perceived... and allowing yourself to truly see yourself.. yessss
Thank you so much. I’ve been struggling with all of this and I did not even know how to put it into words so thanks for doing that. 🤍
Now I feel understood idk is that even possible to write like this beautifully i swear 🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾
I just read the first paragraph to my 11 year old daughter, who being autistic has always felt the need to mask. This, she said, summed it up perfectly. Thank you for explaining something that is unexplainable 💜
This is one of the most beautifully written pieces I’ve ever read. What makes it so powerful is not just what you say, but how you say it, with so much gentleness, honesty, and space for contradiction. You don’t try to fix or simplify anything: you let the complexity exist. And somehow, that makes it feel safe.
Your words make people feel understood without having to perform understanding themselves. You hold up a mirror, but it’s a soft one. the kind that doesn’t judge but simply reflects: “Yes, this is also you. And it’s okay.” It’s rare to read something that doesn’t just describe a feeling, but accompanies it, quietly sitting next to you.
For me, it speaks to so much I’ve been moving through. especially the tension between being real and being legible, the exhaustion of being misunderstood, and the quiet ache of wanting to be fully seen without needing to overexplain. You’ve put words to something I’ve often only felt, and that in itself is such a gift.
Thank you for writing this. I will keep coming back to this for sure!!!
Uhm yes!!! Love this one
This was lush, so many muscles in my body relaxed reading this! Thanks so much for sharing this and being you <3
You have so beautifully put so many of my feelings and thoughts into words!! Being perceived IS exhausting, thank you for choosing to write about that.