The tea is warm in my hands, the kind that softens you from the inside out. I’m sitting across from Analisa, someone who knows me beyond the surface, someone I don’t have to pretend with. It’s one of those slow afternoons where the conversation turns quiet, honest, and a little heavy – the kind that feels like therapy without the appointment.
We start talking about relationships – not the kind people post about, but the real ones. The ones that take effort. The ones that leave you wondering if you’re asking for too much, or if you’re simply asking for the bare minimum. And suddenly I hear myself say it without thinking: “It’s exhausting being the real one in a world full of masks.”
Analisa nods. She knows.
It’s the kind of exhaustion that doesn’t show. The emotional weight of being the one who speaks honestly, who checks in, who asks the questions no one else wants to answer. The one who doesn’t play games or sugarcoat her boundaries. The one who chooses clarity over comfort, even when it costs her the relationship.
We both know what it’s like to give your time, your softness, your sincerity and be met with avoidance, deflection, or silence. To be told you’re “too intense,” “too much,” or that you “feel too deeply.” But we also know the ache of holding back just to be tolerated.
There’s a certain loneliness that comes from being emotionally awake in relationships that stay asleep. You try to meet people where they are, but you also can’t abandon yourself to keep the peace. That’s a quiet kind of heartbreak, the one where you’re still in the room, but slowly disappearing.
But here’s the thing, your voice still matters. Even when it shakes. Even when it feels like you’re the only one speaking. Because maybe, somewhere, another woman is sitting in her silence, sipping her own cup of tea, wondering if she’s the only one tired of pretending.
Speak up, woman. Say what you need to say. Ask the real questions. Set the real boundaries. Let the masks fall, not because you want to scare anyone away, but because you’re done living half-alive in relationships that only welcome a part of you.
Speak your truth. The world might look away, but I won’t. I’m listening.
And so is she.
Discover more from Shifting Sands In The Dark
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Follow:
Disclaimer : The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and reflects the author's personal opinions. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, no warranties are made regarding the information's completeness or reliability. Readers should seek professional advice for specific concerns.
