You are not alone.

I found myself in a few conversations this week, sitting across from people who were silently tangled up in their own heads. Trapped in thoughts that left them feeling isolated + alone. But over a hot cup of coffee or a long meal, as we settled into ourselves + into each other, vulnerability started pouring out over the table.

I didn’t know they were trapped in these webs of doubts or questions, pain or fears until that is, I or someone else, started to share our own messy parts. In one instance, a loud gasp was had, followed by a chuckle, “Wow, I can’t believe you were feeling that. I thought I was the only one.”

There is power in sharing parts of yourself + your story. The big + fun, the tiny + terrifying. All of it is necessary, all of it is important. If you’re not willing to share for your own healing + freedom, would you at least consider the other? They need your courage too. They need to know that despite how it feels, they're not stranded on an island, forced to fend for themselves.

So may you have 10 seconds of courage today, where you say what you normally wouldn’t say. May your vulnerability be met with a sigh of relief as you learn, you too, are not alone.