That thing you're afraid to share

Someone you've never met probably needs to hear it

Sharing tea in Montréal, 2024 — photo by author

I share a lot of personal stuff in these letters. I’ve written about grieving my cats, mining my insecurities, dealing with anxiety, various career challenges, and tons of other super vulnerable stuff.

I felt nervous every time. And every time, someone told me that what I’d written helped them feel less alone, or encouraged when they needed, or even just a moment of respite from the challenges of being alive at this moment in history.

After the words have been published, I’m always glad I shared.

This is not a demand that you share your own vulnerabilities, especially if it doesn’t feel safe. It’s just a reflection on one person’s experience (mine) that the nerves around being vulnerable are real — and at least so far, the benefits have outweighed the risks every time.

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