The Gap Between "There."

Though I be yet a sophomore, I have learned so much about myself in my time at Northwestern. It's actually borderline unbelievable to think of the difference between Sierra now and Sierra a year ago. Or even 3 months ago. There are certain characteristics, certain inherent traits about myself that have shown themselves to me...thus opening my own eyes to me.

I am a giver. 
I have an indescribable need to fill into someone else what they may be lacking. I help when someone needs to be helped. I encourage without being asked. I go the extra mile for someone else's well-being.

...But, I am reluctant to receive.
I'm not sure if it's because I was taught "giving > receiving," or something else (still learning about myself), but when I am empty...I'm not as open to let someone fill into me. It's tough for me to let someone help me or even offer me advice. Even getting complimented feels weird at times.

I have an immense fear of rejection.
And thus, I limit my efforts to build true relationships with others. But unlike my previous revelation, I know exactly why this is. So many of my close relationships have lost, leaving a terrible aftermath on me. I can think of specific times when I invested my trust into someone, only for them to abandon that trust. My mind, body and soul refuse to allow this to happen again.
*Perfect song for this.

I hope for things that I don't expect.
I really have learned the differences between hoping and expecting! If I meet someone who could potentially be a companion, I'll hope that we develop a bond while simultaneously expecting nothing to go past surface. I hope for people to be there for me as I am for them...expecting the chances of that happening to be slim-to-none. I hope that I can soon throw away my apprehensions and anxieties...but expect to still be in my deadlock for time to come.

Silence, to me, is both comforting and saddening.
How ironic, right? I enjoy my alone time, perhaps more than others do. I'm way more "okay" with sitting in my room alone for hours. Yet...I'm not. While I find serenity in being alone, it also reminds me of my connections with others (or lack thereof). It isn't simply FOMO seeing my other friends* hanging out together, genuinely enjoying one another while I feel like an other.
*Friends is used lightly, as many of my friends only actually know me on a surface level.

And I want to change all of this!!
I see other friendships flourish and turn into clear life-time bonds while I struggle to keep anything substantial. I see the way I emotionally "back up," when I feel myself trusting someone. I see I continue to fake relationships. I see it all. And I'm not okay with it.

But this is the first step: Stepping...jumping (with my eyes closed) out of my comfort zone. Not letting my past depict my future. And opening my heart.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Seventeen!!

IFB!

Remember Why You Started