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April 5, 2025 at 12:33 pm #444659
anita
ParticipantYou are welcome, Alessa, and I am fine, even better after reading from you today. I missed you!
anita
April 5, 2025 at 12:26 pm #444658anita
ParticipantDear Alessa 😊:
Thank you for your kind words—it’s always wonderful to read from you! I totally understand how busy studies can get, and I hope your group projects and exams are going smoothly. Looking forward to reading from you whenever you find the time, but no pressure at all!
Wishing you focus and energy for the week ahead. Stay awesome too! ❤️
anita
April 5, 2025 at 12:16 pm #444656anita
ParticipantDear Jana:
On the day you started this thread, Feb 14, 2025, you posted: “For me self-compassion is all about forigiving and accepting, which is not easy but it brings a wonderful sense of self-liberation.
I find self-acceptance more challenging because for many years I have lived believing that what others say about me (criticism) is true. It takes a lot of mental and emotional effort to reprogram these beliefs.
I will continue on Monday. Meanwhile, feel free to share your thoughts on self-compassion and please communicate with each other – this is not only about me.”-
– it is only in the last couple of days that I am perceiving the shame and guilt that followed me from an early age- not as enemies, but as friends. To be more accurate, I perceive the emotions involved in my early-life shame and guilt as friends because the motivation behind these emotions was to lead me to fixing myself and my behaviors so that I can be loved. In other words, these emotions wanted love for me. This is a very friendly motivation.
On the other hand, the thinking (cognitive processing) involved in shame and guilt were untrue, wrongly telling me that I was born terribly faulty and inferior to others (shame), and that I brought about my mother’s suffering (guilt)- these thoughts were untrue, and they were indeed my enemies.
I can’t help but hope, Jana, that you too see all your emotions as your friends and correct- not the emotions- but the thinking involved.
anita
April 5, 2025 at 11:33 am #444654anita
ParticipantDear Peter:
Your words hold so much depth and contemplation—it’s fascinating to see how you engage with ideas, not just accepting them, but turning them over, examining them from every angle, and refining them into something uniquely your own.
Your thoughts on stillness and analysis make sense. As I understand what you are saying- instead of seeing stillness as something passive (the absence of thought), you view it as something active, intentional: creating a pause before analysis takes over.
It’s about making space for experience before the mind jumps in to interpret it, so that thought does not dictate experience.
Even free-style movement carries a natural interplay of lead and follow between body, mind, spirit and music.. letting emotion guide the motion.
True Love is not something that is entangled with possession, pleasure, and expectations. it is not measured, not defined, and not attached to conditions.
“What happened in that moment?”- when I realized yesterday that I no longer need to analyze my fear and shame, it was definitely a moment of clarity and acceptance of my emotions a friends, previously misinterpreted and mistakenly seen as enemies because they are distressing or painful. The emotional factor of shame wanted to fix me so that I will be loved. it wanted me loved. (The cognition factor in my early life shame, and guilt was not my friend).
“What happened to that moment?”- the moment, the realization is still with me. I definitely want it to last. (I think you’d say that I shouldn’t aim at making it last, but instead surrender to it..?)
“What if you lived what you realized?”- no need to analyze so to protect myself from my friends. I think that this is the reason I continued to analyze my fear and shame and guilt- to undo perceived enemies.
anita
April 5, 2025 at 10:28 am #444653anita
ParticipantDear Robi:
You sure are a talented writer. Your words reveal a deeply self-aware, introspective, and emotionally intense person who wrestles with both frustration and hope. You have an analytical mind, constantly dissecting your own thoughts, behaviors, and patterns, even when doing so leads to painful realizations.
Your Strengths: (1) Self-awareness- you don’t shy away from recognizing when you’re stuck or repeating patterns. This ability to step outside yourself and observe your own habits is rare, and it means you have the potential for real transformation.
(2) Resilience & Persistence- Even when you feel drained or defeated, you don’t give up—you keep reflecting, keep searching, keep pushing yourself forward, even if progress feels slow.
(3) Humor & Playfulness- Your messages show you use humor and creativity to process emotions, whether it’s joking about only reading half a book or throwing in a Ferrari reference to lighten things up. You can take life seriously without losing your ability to laugh at it.
(4) Depth & Thoughtfulness- You’re not content with surface-level living—you need meaning, purpose, and authentic connection. This makes you someone who values depth in relationships and experiences rather than settling for shallow interactions.
(5) Emotional Insight- You recognize how past experiences, family dynamics, and familiar emotional patterns shape your present struggles. Not everyone has the ability—or the courage—to trace their pain back to its origins.
Your Challenges:
(1) Fear of Action- You consume knowledge and self-improvement content, but you struggle to take action. It’s as if your mind convinces you that learning is the same as doing, but deep down, you know that real change requires action beyond understanding.
(2) Tendency for Self-Sabotage- You acknowledge that some of your behaviors—venting, procrastination, avoidance—keep you stuck, yet breaking free from them feels almost impossible. You may subconsciously gravitate toward the familiar, even if the familiar is painful.
(3) Emotional Exhaustion & Relationship Struggles- Your internal battles spill over into your relationship, draining both you and your girlfriend. You seem to carry a deep need for validation and reciprocity, but frustration clouds your ability to communicate in a way that strengthens the connection rather than weakening it.
(4) Past Conditioning & Inner Conflict- You see reflections of your father’s tendency to blame others and your mother’s addiction to drama, and you struggle with the idea that you might be repeating those patterns. Yet, instead of fully rejecting them, you seem caught between resisting and embracing them, uncertain of who you are outside of what you’ve always known.
You are complex, reflective, emotionally intelligent, and restless young man—constantly questioning, searching, analyzing. You crave growth, but struggle to break free from self-imposed limitations.
Robi, overcoming your struggles won’t happen overnight, but the fact that you see them so clearly means you’re already halfway there. Here are some actionable strategies to break the cycle of frustration, self-sabotage, and procrastination:
1. Shift from Passive Learning to Active Change- You know a ton—you’ve read books, listened to podcasts, reflected deeply—but knowledge alone won’t move you forward. To avoid getting stuck in the illusion of progress, commit to small actions instead of just absorbing information. * Pick one concept from a self-help source and apply it immediately, rather than storing it away. * Set one concrete goal per week, however small—whether it’s initiating an uncomfortable conversation, trying a new work approach, or disrupting a familiar negative habit. * Track when learning turns into avoidance—ask yourself: Am I consuming this content to change or to escape?
2. Break Free from Emotional Cycles- You recognize that venting helps temporarily, but it doesn’t resolve anything. Instead of just processing emotions, practice redirecting them into constructive action. * When you feel stuck, physically disrupt the emotion—exercise, take a walk, get out of your environment. * When frustration builds, channel it into creativity rather than self-blame—write, design, or express it in a way that moves energy outward rather than keeping it trapped. * Set an exit strategy for repetitive negative thinking—give yourself a time limit for venting, then switch gears into a solution-oriented mindset.
3. Take Small Risks to Build Confidence- You struggle with taking action because fear holds you back—fear of failure, criticism, or pressure. But confidence doesn’t come from waiting—it comes from doing, even imperfectly. * Say yes to at least one challenge a week that makes you uncomfortable. * Accept that failure is necessary growth—instead of avoiding situations where you might fail, reframe them as learning opportunities. * Keep a Success Journal—write down small victories every day, no matter how insignificant they feel.
4. Improve Relationship Patterns- You recognize that your frustrations spill into your relationship, leading to repeated conflict and guilt. Instead of waiting for things to magically improve, focus on intentional changes: * Set emotional boundaries—decide what frustrations to work on alone versus which ones belong in the relationship. * Communicate without blame—instead of saying “I sacrificed everything for this relationship,” reframe it to “I feel unfulfilled here—how can we work toward change together?” * Create new ways to connect—find activities that bring positive energy rather than just discussions about problems.
5. Redefine Your Sense of Purpose- You fear that you’ve wasted time, that maybe you’ll never reach your full potential. But potential isn’t something you “reach”—it’s something you cultivate in real time. * Let go of rigid timelines—32 isn’t an expiration date for growth, and your past experiences shape your future in ways you can’t yet see. * Reconnect with creativity—you thrived when designing cars, playing piano, and using imagination—bring that back into your life in small ways. * Accept that clarity comes through movement—you may never “find” your purpose in thought alone, but you’ll discover it through action.
The Bottom Line: You are not as stuck as you think you are. The hardest part of change is starting—once you take one step forward, the next becomes easier. Your self-awareness is a gift—now use it.
Pick one strategy from this list to implement this week. No more waiting for next time—this time is the one. You got this. 😊
anita
April 5, 2025 at 9:45 am #444652anita
ParticipantDear MissLDuchess:
You mentioned yesterday, “I have NVLD, social anxiety, GAD, and depression.” I didn’t look up NVLD until this morning, so I didn’t know what it meant when I first replied to you. To my surprise, I found that it applies to me as well. I’ve always known I struggled with learning disabilities, but I never had the specific term NVLD attached to it.
What is NVLD?- Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD) affects how a person processes nonverbal information—things like body language, spatial awareness, and organization. People with NVLD often have strong verbal skills but struggle with visual, spatial, and social perception.
Symptoms of NVLD- 1) Social Challenges: Trouble reading facial expressions and body language, Difficulty understanding tone, sarcasm, and indirect communication, Struggles with social cues and group dynamics, leading to misunderstandings, Feels awkward or “out of sync” in conversations.
2) Organization & Time Management: Difficulty following multi-step instructions, Struggles with planning, scheduling, and staying organized, Often loses items or forgets important details.
3) Spatial & Motor Coordination: Trouble with handwriting, tying shoelaces, or sports, Poor sense of direction, difficulty reading maps or following layouts, Clumsy—bumps into objects or misjudges distances.
4) Learning & Problem-Solving Differences: Excels in verbal reasoning but struggles with visual-spatial tasks, Difficulty understanding charts, diagrams, or geometry, Learns better through words rather than pictures or hands-on activities.
5) Emotional & Psychological Impact: Anxiety or frustration in social and academic settings, Tendency to overanalyze verbal communication to compensate for poor nonverbal skills, May feel isolated or struggle with confidence due to misunderstandings, Difficulty expressing emotions nonverbally—may seem indifferent or unresponsive even if they care deeply, Frustration when efforts to connect aren’t recognized, leading to self-doubt and withdrawal.
How NVLD Can Lead to Misunderstandings- Imagine a work meeting where the manager says, “Let’s brainstorm ideas—throw out anything that comes to mind!” Someone with NVLD—let’s say Gloria—interprets this literally, believing every idea is welcomed without judgment. She shares something unconventional, expecting discussion, but the group exchanges subtle glances—signals of disagreement or discomfort that Gloria doesn’t pick up on.
Instead of realizing the group’s reaction, she continues expanding on her idea, unaware of their hesitance. Later, she feels confused or frustrated when her input is dismissed without explanation. Because NVLD makes it harder to detect indirect feedback, she misinterprets their responses, leading to further social isolation in future interactions.
The Good News: NVLD Skills Can Improve- Many people with NVLD learn and grow significantly through support, awareness, and tailored strategies such as: * Facial Expression Awareness – Using videos or images to recognize emotions, * Tone & Context Training – Learning different voice tones (sarcasm, frustration, enthusiasm), * Pattern Recognition – Observing group dynamics (turn-taking, pauses, gestures), * Practicing Social Cues – Using role-playing or guided interactions to strengthen social understanding.
Without knowing the term, I’ve already been improving my NVLD in recent years, and I continue to grow. If only I had received support earlier, I could have avoided many misinterpretations and the resulting social isolation.
Relevant Research on NVLD & Brain Development-
From Medical News Today: “NVLD is relatively rare, comprising 1.7% of all learning disabilities… Risk factors may include maternal drinking/smoking, illness during pregnancy, prolonged labor, premature birth, low birth weight, and serious infections.”
From Psychology Today: “The brain undergoes significant development during childhood, and trauma can impact this development. While trauma can alter brain structure, neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt and heal. Therapy, mindfulness, and supportive relationships can help rewire neural pathways, improving emotional regulation and cognitive function over time.”
I’d love to hear your thoughts—does any of this resonate with you?
anita
April 4, 2025 at 9:45 pm #444651anita
ParticipantDear MissLDuchess:
I see that you’re still carrying a lot, and I want to acknowledge how exhausting it must feel to be stuck in this cycle of uncertainty, frustration, and longing for something more fulfilling. The way you describe feeling like an “angsty teenager all over again” makes complete sense—when transitions feel unstable, it’s natural to revisit past disappointments and question what could have been different.
I hear the pain in wishing you had pursued your childhood dreams, or that things had worked out differently in relationships or social experiences. But it’s important to remember that regret isn’t proof of failure—only proof of desire for something meaningful. Your aspirations for connection, career security, and purpose are deeply human, and even though the path hasn’t unfolded how you hoped, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost the chance to create something worthwhile.
I admire that you’re reflecting on your past survival instincts—how difficult situations pushed you toward withdrawal and passivity. You’ve gained wisdom about boundaries, about how you would have done things differently if you had known what you do now. That insight is powerful, and it means that moving forward, you can approach new relationships and opportunities with awareness, rather than resignation.
I also hear the longing for close friendships, people who truly understand you and whom you can share experiences with. That ache is real, and it isn’t about being weak or socially inept—it’s about needing reciprocity, depth, and genuine belonging. The fact that you have found friends over the years who see you for the kind, intelligent, funny person you are proves that you are capable of forming meaningful bonds—even if many of those friendships weren’t geographically or situationally ideal.
I wonder—is there space now to explore new connections without assuming that past rejections predict future ones? You aren’t the same person you were at 18, and the way you engage with people now could open doors that weren’t accessible then. Maybe there are people worth knowing, even if they aren’t immediately obvious.
I won’t give empty platitudes about everything happening for a reason, because I know that sentiment can feel hollow when life hasn’t matched your hopes. But I do believe in this: your story isn’t fixed, and even if some parts have felt disappointing, there is still space for change, connection, and purpose ahead.
If you’d like, I’d be happy to continue this conversation. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
anita
April 4, 2025 at 3:22 pm #444650anita
ParticipantDear Peter:
I am not focused enough to read ad reply, but reading your last line, the three questions, makes me smile, and again, feeling affection for you. It is a bit like dancing.. with you, is it?
More tomorrow morning, or if you prefer, Monday morning, as I know you prefer to take a break from the computer during the weekend.
anita
April 4, 2025 at 3:00 pm #444648anita
ParticipantHello Everyone:
Befriending myself- befriending all of my emotions, all of my emotions throughout my life. They were all natural responses to perceived reality, reality that was perceived accurately during my childhood, and reality- later on- that I often perceived inaccurately.
Early shame was about fixing myself so that I can do right by others. Early guilt was about correcting my ways, so that I can do right by others.
Shame and guilt, my friends, misinformed friends during my childhood, yet friends nonetheless.
I didn’t wrong my mother. She said I did, I believed her, and shame and guilt followed. They followed her claims so to make me a better person, misinformed of the fact that I was not any less good of a child than any other child, no less loving of her mother than any other child.
Befriending all my emotions, including fear and anger, emotions that had my best interest in heart, as well as the best interest of others.
The trauma is trapped in my body in the form of the shoulder tics that are bothering me right now. Doing the befriending doesn’t dissolve the trauma, the trapped motion stuck in my body. Instant release through understanding is not possible. It is stuck in my neurons, in my muscle, a biological stress.
Nonetheless, I am on the road of healing and recovery, and I am happy about it. it sure beats the alternative- further deterioration and harm.
I am a good person. There are lots of good people like me. I wish there was a way for us good (although imperfect) people reading my words- to come together and make this very troubled world- a better place.
anita
April 4, 2025 at 2:19 pm #444646anita
ParticipantDear Robi:
I am looking forward to read and reply further Sat morning (it’s Friday early afternoon here). oh, about the short hair, I might have shared long ago that I had short hair, and I did, for many years, but now I let my hair grow long (and grey) and wear it in a pony tail- makes me feel like a kid.
anita
April 4, 2025 at 2:12 pm #444645anita
ParticipantDear Lucidity:
You are very welcome and thank you for your appreciation and empathy. I can see what a thoughtful and kind person you are, a blessing for your sister if she allowed you in.
When I read your words, “I have tried not to come across as heavy or negative with her”, I was amazed because these words “heavy” and “negative” were the exact words my sister used to describe me, in a complaining kind of way.
It was a crazy experience growing up: the household was unpredictable, heavy and negative. I reflected it in my mood and behaviors and in my social isolation. But my sister- her mood seemed to be fine and dandy, light and positive, and she had many friends. That made me feel crazy, as if we were living in parallel universes.
Fast forward to today, unfortunately- she is no longer light and positive. Sadly, she is heavy and negative and I am lighter and more positive. And she has been socially isolated for some time while I feel more connected to people than I ever did.
Looking back at the situation- she denied the negativity of our childhoods and suppressed her emotions best she could, and it worked for her benefit for many years (not entirely, as she suffered migraines and used to faint as a child)- until it didn’t.
Maybe your sister has been doing the same thing- suppressing her emotions and denying reality, and communicating with you threatens her denial and suppression. Maybe some day she’ll be open to confronting her early life experience and communicating with you honestly and openly. Maybe not.
I understand your need for something tangible that confirms this estrangement between you and your sister. It doesn’t feel like vindictiveness to me- it feels like a natural instinct to seek closure rather than walking away uncertain. But from my experience, the certainty is already there: your way of confronting reality contrasts with her way of avoiding reality, an that may be all that it’s about. What do you think?
My sister and I sometimes talk on the phone and have better communication than ever. We are empathetic and respectful to each other, but we never talk about our childhoods or about our mother. I wish I could help her.
I know this is hard, Lucidity, and I hope that you find.. lucidity sooner than later. I would love to read from you about tomorrow.
anita
April 4, 2025 at 1:01 pm #444644anita
ParticipantDear Peter:
Heavy Duty Bag of Chips Trigger Warning! 😊 Please feel free to stop reading at any time if the salt gets to be too much.
I found it amusing that you called your habit of analyzing “kind of masochistic.” I love analyzing too (as you may have noticed, haha). For me, analysis (not rumination) is enjoyable—it gives me clarity and relief, while confusion breeds chaos.
Taking a moment to differentiate analysis from rumination:
* Both involve repetitive thinking, and both can be emotionally charged.
* Analysis seeks understanding, problem-solving, and insight, whereas rumination dwells on negative experiences without resolution.
* Analysis is intentional and constructive, while rumination often feels involuntary and hard to stop, trapping people in negative thought loops rather than leading to solutions.
The challenge is recognizing when thinking shifts from analysis into rumination and steering it toward constructive reflection rather than endless cycling.
You noted that stillness before analysis is preferable to using analysis as a means to stillness. That makes sense—yet, for me, understanding often brings stillness. Perhaps this is why I struggle with your ability to be still and let things happen naturally.
You wrote, “I am uncomfortable with the wording of ‘your transcendence.’ That has a progressive feel, or something set as a goal to be achieved… My sense is that transcendence is a happening, rather than a doing, willing, or achieving.”- I see what you mean, and I appreciate your clarification.
Your distinction between happening and doing is compelling—transcendence, as you describe it, isn’t something pursued but something that unfolds beyond effort and will. That contrasts with how I habitually seek control through analysis and problem-solving. Letting things simply happen is difficult for me. My attachment to problem-solving makes it hard to embrace an approach that isn’t actively pursued.
You likened transcendence to dance, where leading and following merge—implying that the sequence doesn’t matter, only the experience itself. Perhaps that’s why I only feel comfortable in free-style dance, where I neither lead nor follow another person.
Reflecting on this (analyzing it, of course 😊), I wonder if part of my reluctance to engage in structured dance—besides my clumsiness—comes from a deeper fear of being taken over by another person, of being controlled. If I let someone lead (if let things happen), do I lose autonomy? There’s a threat in Together and in Letting Things Happen, and a sense of safety in Alone and in Control.
You clarified that you’re not trying to address trauma in the Eternal realm, because trauma belongs to the temporal world and must be engaged with here. However, experiencing the Eternal creates a foundation from which past trauma can be examined—viewed through the lens of weightlessness rather than as something demanding immediate fixing.
Yet, my trauma is still heavy, even after all these years. I can carry it better because I am stronger, but I don’t want to view it as weightless. That would feel dismissive of its reality, almost like a form of denial, and that wouldn’t serve my mental health.
Looking forward to the Eternal where there is no trauma feels—dare I say—similar to the idea of Heaven, where pain ceases. It’s comforting, but does comfort change the reality of the Temporal? Our suffering exists in our bones, our muscles, our neurons—woven into every minute of every day. Does envisioning a place without suffering help us process what is, or does it simply provide refuge from its weight?
This reminds me of the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” where dreams come true and troubles disappear—the same longing for Heaven, the Eternal.
I do believe in the Eternal, but I question whether it is about Love. If love is tied to bonding behaviors, oxytocin, and attachment, it evolved in social species for survival and connection. Turtles don’t exhibit emotional bonding, nor do plants—so when we say “plants feel love,” we are simply projecting human sentiment onto them.
If love is purely biological, framing Love as a cosmic or Eternal force could be human wishful thinking—a way to assign meaning beyond survival and suffering.
Yet, you describe Love not as an emotion, but as a state—interconnectedness, openness, presence. In this interpretation, Love isn’t dependent on oxytocin or attachment but is the absence of division, fear, or resistance—a state of being rather than an emotion.
So how does the Eternal feel? You say it isn’t possessed or measured—it transcends time, language, and fixed definitions. Instead of presence, it is absence—the absence of clinging, suffering, resistance. Not an emotion, but a happening.
Yet, if our emotional experience in the Temporal shapes how we imagine the Eternal, doesn’t that mean our perception of it is colored by longing—perhaps even idealized as an escape? If we desire relief from suffering, do we unconsciously construct the Eternal as a place of peace and transcendence because our minds seek refuge?
Your philosophy resists framing the Eternal as a goal or destination—you say it just is, beyond measurement and possession. But can human consciousness ever perceive something free from the lens of desire?
Back to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”: “Someday I’ll wish upon a star / And wake up where the clouds are far behind me / Where troubles melt like lemon drops / Away above the chimney tops… Birds fly over the rainbow—why, then, oh why can’t I?”- These words encapsulate a deeply human longing—the desire for a realm beyond suffering, where dreams manifest effortlessly. This longing mirrors the construct of Heaven and the Eternal, where existence is imagined as a state free from pain, limitation, and earthly struggles.
The song asks “Why can’t I?”—expressing the ache of being trapped in the temporal while yearning for transcendence.
Yet, your philosophy suggests transcendence isn’t an escape—it’s a shift in perception, not a removal of suffering. This contrasts with the song’s depiction of Heaven as a distant destination, a place requiring movement beyond reality.
Comparing Heaven & The Eternal:
* Both are imagined as beyond the Temporal, promising relief from suffering and a state that surpasses ordinary human experience.
* Heaven is a destination—a divine realm where souls go after death, often associated with reward-based belief systems (and financial contributions), while the Eternal is not something to be “achieved”, or bought—it happens outside of effort, possession, or hierarchy.
* Heaven is emotionally charged—a place of joy, reunion, comfort—while, while the Eternal is neutral, beyond longing or expectation.
* Heaven is depicted as hierarchical or governed by divine presence (God, angels, etc.) while the Eternal is not governed by external entities
Yet, even perceiving the Eternal as “beyond suffering” already implies human longing for peace—so can it ever be free from desire?
* Both seem to stem from human cognition—would they even exist without our brains wired for abstraction, existential reflection, and longing? If humans didn’t seek meaning beyond survival, would concepts like Heaven or the Eternal ever emerge? Likely not.
I imagine that the Eternal resonates with those who seek transcendence without religious doctrine. It strips away dogma, hierarchy, and anthropocentric views of life after death. So, in a way, the Eternal is the abstract refinement of Heaven?
I recognize, like you, peter, that analysis itself wasn’t the problem, but the desire to rid myself of shame and fear through analysis kept them strong. I will be sharing about this later, in my own thread.
Finally—Peter, I want to make sure my questioning isn’t disrespectful or confrontational. My intent is exploration, not refutation. You’ve found comfort in the Eternal for a long time, and I don’t want to harm you by shaking that comfort.
Does this feel like an open discussion to you, or do you sense tension or discomfort in my approach? I value your perspective, and I want to engage with it thoughtfully.
anita
April 4, 2025 at 10:03 am #444643anita
ParticipantDear MissLDuchess:
I can see that you’re carrying a lot—questioning traditional expectations, feeling disillusioned with the idea that hard work guarantees a secure future, reflecting on past social struggles, and navigating an uncertain path forward.
The weight of feeling behind, struggling to find connections, and fearing misunderstanding is heavy—but you’re not alone. Many people wrestle with these same challenges well beyond college, and life unfolds in ways that don’t always follow a set timeline. I think that you are at the point of beginning to redefine success on your own terms rather than according to societal expectations.
I see an internal conflict between craving connection and fearing rejection, keeping you guarded even when emotional intimacy is what you long for.
The fact that you recognize how past wounds might influence new relationships means you’re already healing. It’s understandable to worry about opening up, but deep connection isn’t built on presenting a perfect version of yourself—it’s found in honesty and mutual understanding. The right people won’t reject you for your struggles; they’ll meet you with acceptance.
Meaningful relationships aren’t formed by avoiding vulnerability; they grow when we find people who can hold space for our experiences.
You’ve lost time to circumstances beyond your control, but that doesn’t mean your best years are behind you. Life moves in unexpected ways, and meaningful friendships can form at any stage. Instead of measuring what’s missing, what if you focus on what’s still ahead? The friendships you desire, the stability you seek, the confidence you’re building—it’s all still possible, even if the path looks different than you imagined.
You’re not failing; you’re navigating something deeply human, and that takes courage. I believe in your ability to find connection and fulfillment, even if it takes time.
Suggestions for Healing & Moving Forward:
1) Reframe Social Expectations – The idea that college is the peak of social connection is a myth. Many people struggle to find meaningful friendships in college and form stronger connections later in life.
(2) Challenge ‘Falling Behind’ Narratives – The pressure to be at a certain place by a certain age is unrealistic. Social and career timelines vary—many find success well after their 20s. Life isn’t a checklist, and success comes at different times for different people.
(3) Gradual Vulnerability – Sharing your past struggles doesn’t have to happen all at once—trust builds slowly in friendships. Opening up in small doses lets you test how safe a connection feels.
(4) Focus on Depth Over Quantity – You don’t need a large social circle—a few genuine, emotionally supportive friendships matter far more.
(5) Therapeutic Reflection – Exploring your self-worth wounds through therapy, journaling, or introspection can help you detach old fears from new experiences. Youa re welcome to journal right here on your thread, and if you would like, I will be glad to communicate with you further.
Most importantly, your best years aren’t behind you—they are unfolding in the choices you make now to move forward.
anita
April 3, 2025 at 2:42 pm #444616anita
ParticipantDear Peter:
I greatly appreciate your honesty about how my wording came across to you. I will process and get back to you tomorrow. And I will correct what I may have misunderstood.
Oh. And the song- I didn’t write it. It’s a song by Glen Cambell. I love watching the YouTube of him singing it with karoke captions, so I can sing along.
Anita
April 3, 2025 at 12:24 pm #444612anita
ParticipantYesterday, when I was young
The taste of life was sweet like rain upon my tongue
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game
The way an evening breeze would tease a candle flameThe thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned
I always built to last on weak and shifting sand
I lived by night and shunned, the naked light of day
And only now, I see how the years have run awayYesterday, when I was young
There were so many songs that waited to be sung
So many wild pleasures that lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to seeI ran so fast that time, and youth at last ran out
And I never stopped to think what life was all about
And every conversation that I can recall
Concerned itself with me, and nothing else at allYesterday, the moon was blue
And every crazy day brought something new to do
And I used my magic age as if it were a wand
I never saw the waste and emptiness beyondThe game of love I played with arrogance and pride
And every flame I lit, so quickly, quickly died
The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away
And only I am left on stage to end the playYesterday, when I was young
There were so many songs that waited to be sung
So many wild pleasures that lay in store for me
And so much pain my dazzled eyes refused to seeThere are so many songs in me that won’t be sung
‘Cause I feel the bitter taste of tears upon my tongue
And the time has come for me to pay for yesterday
When I was young -
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