Life can be tough enough without the extra weight of people who try to put you down. Maybe it’s a bully at school, a co-worker who always has something negative to say, or even someone in your own circle who criticizes instead of encourages. Their words can cut like sharp edges, leaving scars on your heart.

All my life, I’ve noticed that people tend to open up to me. Sometimes even strangers share their secrets, their struggles, and their private stories without me asking. Friends often say I feel familiar or comforting, like they’ve known me for years.

For much of my life, people have looked at my emotions and behavior and assumed I must have something “wrong” with me — ADHD, autism, BPD, or another diagnosis.

How I Heal, Shift, and Still Trust That I’m Being Held Through It All

Letting Go of the Fantasy, Reclaiming Yourself