When I’m happy, I can let a lot slide. Things feel lighter, easier to overlook. I have more patience during the time when I’m happy… But when I’m feeling hurt, it’s hard. Everything feels sharper, and I get picky. I notice things that normally wouldn’t bother me. I don’t like that part of myself, and I want to be better.

When I’m upset, I need to remember to pause before I speak. Just breathe. Give myself a moment to check in with what I’m really feeling. I always risk saying things in a way that sounds like blame, even when I don’t mean it that way. I want to learn to communicate from a clearer place. Also, I want to not by hold things in.

Because what I really want is connection. And I know that comes not from reacting to the moment, but from understanding myself better. I want to be able to be enough to share that understanding with someone I care about.