When I was younger, I used to just throw parts of myself out there – vulnerable parts, raw parts, honest in the moment parts – and let the world do what it will. Now, any time that my heart wants to be open and vulnerable and I go to throw that part of me into the world, my brain steps in and clamps a protective barrier over my heart and a filter over my words. The result is that whatever comes through, whatever makes it out into the world, ends up generic and empty. I end up protected from anything painful the world might send my way, but I also end up protected from anything positive and good.

I’m not sure what my point is, other than being vulnerable is terrifying but also necessary.  How I managed to not give in to the terrifying part when I was younger, I do not know.