Hey 💃 Confused:

Why a dancing woman emoji? I will explain in a minute.

“As if I have a judge in my head”- telling you that you didn’t laugh enough.

Two evenings ago (still daylight, as it does’nt get dark here before 10 pm), I was at a public park, a huge park, where a band was playing danceable 🎶🎵🎶.

There were maybe 1500 people, adults and children, sitting on lawn chairs in front of and around the stage, and maybe a hundred (all adults) sitting in the limited area, far above the stage where alcohol was sold (toooo expensive, which made me mad), and people were allowed to sit an drink beer or wine.

Of the 1500 people of so, how many people had that judge in their heads that told them it’d be too embarrassing to dance in front of 1500 people in broad daylight?

As many as 1497. 3 people eventually danced.

I wanted to dance but my internal judge told me I ‘ll look ridiculous and people will make fun of me.

Two expensive plastic cups of red wine, I walked down to the area in front of the band, took my sandals off, and my jeans jacket, and I danced 💃 (no red dress though).

One woman joined the dancing after that ( total of 5 adults dancing out of 1500, while 1495 people were watching). The girl approached me, looking up to me. For daring to dance so joyfully.

My point, that internal judge is a party pooper.

Isn’t he/ she?

👵💃🐔 Anita

Hi Nichole:

Ha- ha, the lack of sleep, humidity, fire smoke from Canada… and that’s all it took for me to miscalculate: it was a bit after 11 pm your time when I submitted the above. Now it’s after midnight.

I’ll B Back 2 U in the morning.

🌿 Anita

3 hours ahead of you, 8:05 here

Hi Tom:

I am sorry to read about the miscarriage.

No worries about the silence here. Anytime you post here is appreciated 🙏

I hope the small Euro trip gives you and your partner some joy.

I wish the 3 weeks leading to the trip were less of a battle.

🌿 Anita

Dear Eva:

I am sorry you had such a disheartening experience with your co- worker. His behavior was offensive, it would offend anyone 😔

I was wondering: the 2nd ex you shared about was in the same friend group as your first (the reason, he said, why he kept you a secret).

The coworker you shared about most recently is also in a group of coworkers, a group that includes you.

As part of group dynamics, people talk about each other, forming impressions through stories shared (gossip).

Do you think this is part of what’s been going on?

🤔 Anita

Hi 🌿🐺 SereneWolf:

I’m tired but fine — thank you for asking. And I have to say, it made me smile that exactly an hour & 5 minutes ago (by the time I submit this message), a 🌿🐺 from across the world submitted a post to me.

About my kind words — you’re welcome. They’re sincere. You’ve been consistently gracious and kind through the years, no matter what. That’s definitely a positively special 🐺🤍

What stood out to me most in your message was this:

“I don’t think I need more answers anymore. I think I just need to keep taking the next small step, even with uncertainty.”-

There’s more self‑trust in your tone now, less fear, and more clarity about your patterns. What you wrote shows real growth. Saying you don’t need more answers anymore — and that you’re willing to take small steps even without certainty — is a major shift from reassurance‑seeking.

And of course, it won’t always be smooth or easy — growth never is. But the way you’re facing uncertainty now shows real courage, and I believe these small steps you’re taking will keep opening the path forward. One small step at a time is enough 🙂

🌿 🌿 🌿 Anita