I’m not currently awake enough to leave as thoughtful of a comment as I’d like to, but Colin, my dude: this is one of my favorite things I’ve ever read on Substack. It’s heartfelt, it’s tender, it makes me wanna crawl out of and then back into my skin — and also, you’re so fucking funny? The little asides and the captions on the images? Incredible. 11/10. Please keep sharing your beautiful brain with the world, and thank you for the reminder that none of us are as alone as we think we are. 🫶🏻
Hey Colin, this is an amazing post! I really love how you touched on your insecurities and how not being accepted by others stemmed from not accepting yourself. I went through this all throughout my school days up until college. I can relate to this so much because I was always the quiet kid that had no real sense of identity or confidence. I tried my best to fit in where I got in and do my best to center my identity around what others wanted me to be. I was basically using small parts of myself and making them my identity more so as a shield because I was so confused about who I was. Thank goodness I found my identity when I started journaling and like you said, being more vulnerable with myself. I had a toxic friend group that took me years to get rid of, but once I did, I light switched in my head and I realized how others can have bad intentions and how crucial it is to listen to yourself and be aware of your surrounding and who you are. Thank you so much for posting this! Your newsletter is awesome by the way! Just subscribed! :)
Wow, this is so thoughtful and I very much understand exactly where you’re coming from! I appreciate the reply and you wanting to be part of this little community I’m trying to build! Thank you so much Khadejah — I’m looking forward to the journey we’re both on. Excited to have you here
I’m not currently awake enough to leave as thoughtful of a comment as I’d like to, but Colin, my dude: this is one of my favorite things I’ve ever read on Substack. It’s heartfelt, it’s tender, it makes me wanna crawl out of and then back into my skin — and also, you’re so fucking funny? The little asides and the captions on the images? Incredible. 11/10. Please keep sharing your beautiful brain with the world, and thank you for the reminder that none of us are as alone as we think we are. 🫶🏻
I have absolutely no words. This means SO much to me Elijah. People like you are what keep me going. Thank you. Thank you an incredible amount
Hey Colin, this is an amazing post! I really love how you touched on your insecurities and how not being accepted by others stemmed from not accepting yourself. I went through this all throughout my school days up until college. I can relate to this so much because I was always the quiet kid that had no real sense of identity or confidence. I tried my best to fit in where I got in and do my best to center my identity around what others wanted me to be. I was basically using small parts of myself and making them my identity more so as a shield because I was so confused about who I was. Thank goodness I found my identity when I started journaling and like you said, being more vulnerable with myself. I had a toxic friend group that took me years to get rid of, but once I did, I light switched in my head and I realized how others can have bad intentions and how crucial it is to listen to yourself and be aware of your surrounding and who you are. Thank you so much for posting this! Your newsletter is awesome by the way! Just subscribed! :)
Wow, this is so thoughtful and I very much understand exactly where you’re coming from! I appreciate the reply and you wanting to be part of this little community I’m trying to build! Thank you so much Khadejah — I’m looking forward to the journey we’re both on. Excited to have you here
Thank you so much Colin! Glad you can relate as well! Keep up the great work! :)