Sanaa, this means so much to me. 🥹❤️ I think one of the strangest things about over-apologizing is how quietly it can move from “I’m sorry for what I did” to “I’m sorry for taking up space at all.” Sometimes we don’t even notice when the apology stops belonging to a mistake and starts attaching itself to our presence.
So your last line really stayed with me—may we never feel sorry for existing, for needing, for feeling deeply, or for simply being here. Thank you for making me feel seen too through the way you received this piece. 🫶❤️
This one hit different — I think because I saw so much of myself in it. That reflex to apologize before anyone's even upset, like existing itself needs clearing first. I don't think I've seen someone put language to that so honestly before.
Sarah, this one stayed with me. 🥹 The way you said “like existing itself needs clearing first” feels painfully close to what I was trying to name—the moment “sorry” stops belonging to a mistake and starts becoming a kind of permission slip for being here at all.
And knowing you saw yourself in this makes me feel both tender and a little sad, because I know how exhausting it is to keep softening your presence before anyone has even asked you to. I’m really grateful you trusted me enough to say that out loud here. You make these pieces feel less like confessions sent into the dark and more like something shared between people who recognize each other. 🫶💗
Xiaobian. 🫶🏻🩷 breaking away from the defensive habit of constantly begging the world for pardon takes immense internal courage. thank you for creating such a safe, raw space that completely validates how terrifying but necessary it feels to finally stand your ground..🤗
Priyanshu, this means a lot to me. 🥹💗 I think what frightened me most wasn’t saying “sorry” itself, but realizing how easily it had become a way of asking permission to take up space.
And yes… standing your ground can feel strangely dangerous when you’ve spent so long making yourself easier, quieter, and more forgivable. Sometimes the courage is simply staying where you are without immediately offering an apology for being there.
Thank you for understanding that part so deeply. You always seem to find the place beneath the habit, where the real fear is hiding. 🫶💗
Unlearning that default impulse to shrink ourselves is a long, slow process. When you are conditioned to prioritize everyone else's comfort, claiming your own presence feels like an act of defiance. Just existing in a room without trying to smooth things over or make excuses takes incredible mental effort. I am glad my response resonated with that hidden struggle.. you deserve to hold your ground fully, Xiaobian..🥰🫶🏻
This made me feel so seen, you have a way with words, thank you for sharing this piece. May we never feel sorry for existing ❤️
Sanaa, this means so much to me. 🥹❤️ I think one of the strangest things about over-apologizing is how quietly it can move from “I’m sorry for what I did” to “I’m sorry for taking up space at all.” Sometimes we don’t even notice when the apology stops belonging to a mistake and starts attaching itself to our presence.
So your last line really stayed with me—may we never feel sorry for existing, for needing, for feeling deeply, or for simply being here. Thank you for making me feel seen too through the way you received this piece. 🫶❤️
You are the kindest 🫶❤️
🫶❤️🫶
This one hit different — I think because I saw so much of myself in it. That reflex to apologize before anyone's even upset, like existing itself needs clearing first. I don't think I've seen someone put language to that so honestly before.
Sarah, this one stayed with me. 🥹 The way you said “like existing itself needs clearing first” feels painfully close to what I was trying to name—the moment “sorry” stops belonging to a mistake and starts becoming a kind of permission slip for being here at all.
And knowing you saw yourself in this makes me feel both tender and a little sad, because I know how exhausting it is to keep softening your presence before anyone has even asked you to. I’m really grateful you trusted me enough to say that out loud here. You make these pieces feel less like confessions sent into the dark and more like something shared between people who recognize each other. 🫶💗
Xiaobian. 🫶🏻🩷 breaking away from the defensive habit of constantly begging the world for pardon takes immense internal courage. thank you for creating such a safe, raw space that completely validates how terrifying but necessary it feels to finally stand your ground..🤗
Priyanshu, this means a lot to me. 🥹💗 I think what frightened me most wasn’t saying “sorry” itself, but realizing how easily it had become a way of asking permission to take up space.
And yes… standing your ground can feel strangely dangerous when you’ve spent so long making yourself easier, quieter, and more forgivable. Sometimes the courage is simply staying where you are without immediately offering an apology for being there.
Thank you for understanding that part so deeply. You always seem to find the place beneath the habit, where the real fear is hiding. 🫶💗
Unlearning that default impulse to shrink ourselves is a long, slow process. When you are conditioned to prioritize everyone else's comfort, claiming your own presence feels like an act of defiance. Just existing in a room without trying to smooth things over or make excuses takes incredible mental effort. I am glad my response resonated with that hidden struggle.. you deserve to hold your ground fully, Xiaobian..🥰🫶🏻