flâneur

the paradox of craving to be seen but fearing being known

harlsrana.substack.com · 1,591 words · saved by 1 readers

we live with a quiet, often unspoken tension- the aching desire to be truly seen, understood and accepted, yet simultaneously, the impulse to hide, to hold back, to keep parts of ourselves locked away from others’ eyes.

we live with a quiet, often unspoken tension- the aching desire to be truly seen, understood and accepted, yet simultaneously, the impulse to hide, to hold back, to keep parts of ourselves locked away from others’ eyes. it’s a paradox many of us know all too well. we expect to be known, to be loved fully, but resist the vulnerability that comes with allowing others to know the real us. sometimes, i catch myself retreating just when someone seems close to understanding me. it’s like a reflex, pulling back before they can truly see the cracks and shadows i’m terrified to expose. i want…

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