Dear tiny lantern:

In this context, this thread, in communication with me, it will not be “too much” for me, if you show “a little more of (your) authentic feelings”- as a matter of fact, it will not be too much for me if you show a whole lot, all, of your authentic feelings. I will reply to you empathetically and respectfully no matter what authentic feelings you express here. Therefore, I am inviting you to take advantage of this opportunity. It can be very helpful to you, and cannot possibly harm you, not in communication with me.

Reality is, it is not safe to share all with just anyone, including with your mother. It clearly harmed you in the past, sharing your authentic feelings with her (as children naturally do, before they are stopped…)

There are many other people, like your mother, with whom sharing your authentic self is an invitation to rejection and condemnation. This is why you have to be selective, to learn who the person is, over time, before sharing.

anita