Life Can Be Uncertain

You should still show up and be present anyway.

We’re all navigating emotions. I used to feel safer expressing mine behind a screen, a page, or a stage—basically, anything that shielded me from the person receiving them. Like most things for most people, this all goes back to childhood. As a teen, a therapist taught me to write my emotions through journaling.

I loved it! I could express exactly what I felt without exposing myself to others. In some cases, it was actually a blessing. I didn’t grow up in the safest emotional or physical households—in fact, quite the opposite.

Learning to express my needs took practice, patience, and time. Now, people tell me that I’m really good at speaking my mind and calling people out on their shit. And they’re right. (Ask me about the Scandinavian dude I just kicked out of my DMs.) For me, maturity and growth have meant living even more fully and honestly in my emotions.

If you want to learn how I did it—or how you can too—this letter is for you, my love.

Read on.