Forward

The maze unfurls itself before me, beckoning. I realize I know where I am, and how to find my way back

I don’t need to justify my behavior, to acknowledge the messiness of my past, but I want to. Talking about it wrests away the control it’s had over me. Talking about it razes the shame, leaving room for another emotion to rise in its place

I shouldn’t feel like I need to explain or justify my behavior. No one needs to be comfortable with my motivations but me

realizing I will never again be the main spectacle at the party, the engine that makes it go, and not missing that role at all.

I’ve felt new to myself, open to whatever I might find—good or bad, soothing or disconcerting, familiar or strange

I’ve made so many decisions that have taken me away from myself, that have made it impossible to know who I am, and I’m ready to chart the path back

As with every fire I’ve gone to, you will rebuild and be in a better, safer place going forward

Just like other injuries you’ve recovered from, this will be painful, frustrating, demoralizing

You cannot do this on your own

Just as you’ve sought help before for your leg, you need to ask for help from your friends and family