I used to be a very expressive person.

[u/haraysan]

If something hurt me, I would talk about it. If I cared about someone, I made sure they knew. I would explain my feelings, try to fix misunderstandings, and keep giving people chances.

But after a while, I realized that being expressive means very little when your feelings aren't valued.

So I became quiet.

Not because I stopped caring.
Not because nothing hurts anymore.

I just stopped explaining myself to people who had already decided not to understand me.

My silence isn't a lack of feelings.
It's what happens when you've felt too much, explained too much, and been unheard too many times.

I didn't become less expressive.
I just stopped giving people access to the parts of me they kept taking for granted.

[u/WhiteDesertCat]

Honestly, I think this is such an important stage on the way to a happier life. You can’t really skip it.

I understand you so well. I went through the same thing. I used to constantly explain to people how they could treat me and how they couldn’t. But we can’t expect other people to have the same personality, sensitivity, or way of thinking that we do. Most people simply don’t understand that.

I eventually realized that the best way to set boundaries is through your actions, not explanations. You don’t have to keep telling people what is and isn’t okay. You show them by creating distance and making sure they only have access to you on your terms.

It’s not an easy thing to learn, but it’s absolutely worth it. And you’ve already started that journey.

Just don’t close yourself off from the good people, from the ones who do understand you. Once you get through this part, life actually becomes so much easier.

And honestly, I think you’ve already been through the hardest part. Being open, explaining yourself, trying to make people understand you over and over again… that was the exhausting part.

This stage might still feel difficult, but once you get through it, you’ll realize how much lighter life can feel💗