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Patti Ann Lee's avatar

Torri, how beautiful this essay is. I am 67-years old and have spent my entire life pushing myself into being what everyone else thought I should be. Your word "exhausting" is felt so deeply. I, myself, am not sure where I fall, but now I just let myself "be" and accept me and my quirks. I've made deep, lifelong friendships, am now happily married to someone who actually loves and accepts me, and have a deep and personal relationship with God, but not "religion." I'm sad for the Patti that struggled to fit in with the crowd, but grateful I found my people as I did - more individual connections. I embrace my differences now and actually celebrate them. This is how God made me and I love him for it. I love me for it, finally. Thank you for such a beautiful essay. It really touched my heart.

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A. Wilder Westgate's avatar

I felt like I could have written so much of this myself. I was so terrified of not being believed that I showed up to my assessment with a binder. I'm grateful that the person who did mine was very validating. Thank you for sharing your letter!

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