In conclusion (sorry, it took so long to get here after reading your ‘foundations,’ it’s only now I’ve reached this denouement), please know you have found a community here, and you’re more than welcome. I admire your name, your voice, and your way with words. Please don’t give up on humanity just yet, even if it feels like you already have.

Keep keeping on, and stay blessed. Xx.

…now while I do not ever see myself as a bad person (don’t we all? 🙂‍↔️🤭😩) I’m not deluded enough to not acknowledge that sometimes I make bad choices. That said, I still believe there are people out there worth knowing — decent ones, even if rare. I agree though, keeping expectations low helps soften the blows from disappointing, conniving, sneaky humans. But I don’t want you to coast through life in monochrome. You deserve to experience those random bursts of color too…

I used to think my own experiences weren’t “that bad” compared to others, but truthfully, pain is pain. And trauma doesn’t need to be compared to be valid.

It makes perfect sense why you might see the world in black and white. It’s a way to protect yourself, especially after what you’ve been through. But I’ve learned that the world is full of greys —many, many shades of it. People can be deeply flawed and still carry goodness in them.

..now, as someone who’s experienced sexual abuse both as a child and as an adult, I don’t know how accurate the stats you mentioned are, but I do know that according to the United Nations, 736 million women have faced physical and/or sexual violence from a partner or otherwise, at least once in their lives. That number is heavy. And is why your story resonates deeply with me and certainly every woman I even personally know.