It’s wild,
how fear doesn’t just live in pain
sometimes it shows up
right when everything feels okay.

A soft hand reaches out,
a kind word finds you mid-breakdown,
someone sees the parts of you
that others called too much
and says, “you’re still worthy.”

And you freeze.

Because peace feels unfamiliar
when survival was the default.

You start plotting escapes from love
that feels safe,
pulling away from people
who meet your chaos with calm,
second-guessing growth
just because it feels different.

You want to apply,
present,
pray,
connect,
but you’re scared
not of failure,
but of what if it works out?

What if they say yes?
What if you're actually seen,
chosen,
celebrated?

What if healing changes you
in ways you can't control?

You hold back from community
that doesn’t mirror your culture
because you know
they might stretch you,
challenge you,
push you to become someone
you’re still learning to believe in.

But still…
you want it.

So maybe today,
you don’t run.
You don’t ruin it.
You don’t shrink.

Maybe today,
you breathe,
you stay,
you try.

Because maybe the fear
is just proof
you’re stepping into
something true.