A Step 5 reflection on the pattern of loving men who loved my silence. This piece explores self-abandonment, emotional clarity, and choosing relationships that honor your voice.

Before the pandemic, I thought I was just tired — but I was drowning. When the world went quiet, I finally saw what was draining me and what had been hurting me all along.

For years I believed I “bruised easily” because someone I loved said it like a diagnosis. It took decades to realize that my sensitivity wasn’t a flaw — it was evidence of the environment I survived. This is how the lie was planted, how it shaped me, and why I’m finally done carrying it.