For me, it's been nearly a decade since tears flowed effortlessly. Crying became foreign to me over time.
Growing up, tears were met with punishment—whether physically or with dismissive words like "Stop overreacting." This conditioned me to bury emotions deep inside to avoid repercussions. Now, as an adult, crying feels like navigating through a minefield of anxiety and guilt. It's a haunting reminder of childhood fears, where showing vulnerability often led to negative outcomes.
Yet, yesterday, I found myself in tears as I reflected on the kindness of strangers. In that moment of emotional vulnerability, I acknowledged my inner turmoil. And surprisingly, after letting those tears fall, I discovered a sense of peace.