"Don't take anything personally."
I had a great example of the importance of this this week. Raised in a tough home, I'm *definitely* a people-pleaser quick to think that people are angry at me. But this week, *just* as I was going to reach out to someone I thought was angry at me, they posted about being livid with themselves.
Depression & self-hate don't just hijack the rest of your beautiful brains.
They're also damned egotists.
Don't let the wrong things live rent free inside your heads.
@MLClark Some day I want to DM you to compare notes on being raised in a "tough home."
I share your trait of assuming that people are mad at you for some inexplicable reason.
I'm in that situation right now with someone who's stopped talking to me. No idea why. I say hello. She ignores me. Shrug.
The inexplicable reasons are the real brain-worms, eh?
I think more than driving tests, leaving home, etc... the real mark of "growing up" is that awful moment when we realize we have no control over what others believe about us, or the stories they share about events to which we were party as well.
"If you'll just let me explain!"
The first time we learn we have to keep going without closure is... one heckuva lesson. The other times are just... refresher courses, I guess? 🙃
@MLClark I have a lifelong adage:
"Don't sweat what you can't control."
Thank you for reminding me of that.
This situation is one of my triggers. I have to recognize it as such.
Elsewhere ... Did a phone interview this morning that revealed an entirely new aspect to my history book. It was a subplot I'd largely discarded because I couldn't find enough source material. But one person finally talked to me, and gave me referrals to others.
So off we go ...