“I’ve been exercising. I’ve been talking to people. I’ve been journaling, deep breathing, staying busy (whatever that means), and doing all of the necessary fixes that I would tell others to do in my situation. But this does not mean that I don’t still have thoughts. This does not mean that I don’t still have thoughts about her. This does not mean I am not hurt. This does not mean I am all of a sudden happy again.”

The next time I need an example of authenticity, I’m pulling up these words. Thanks for your honesty. Thanks for being real. Thanks for having the courage to share what you’re going through in all its messy complexity.