Sometimes I feel as though I cannot fully feel myself because subconsciously I am worried about being more palatable to the world — or the men around me. The saying “It is a man’s world” has been deeply etched into my throat ever since I was young, bleeding me dry without my permission, as if it were just a given.

Because the truth is, you don't have to go along with anything that doesn’t feel fully aligned with your needs, even if it looks good on paper, if you already said yes or if you’ve done it before. Most importantly, you don’t have to do everything the other person wants, even if you love them deeply. Their adoration for you should never inflate or dissipate based on your response to certain requests.