can we retire the idea of “if they wanted, they would”? life is wayy more complicated than a one-sentence trope, we have to accept that people aren’t mind readers, and love isn’t a guessing game. to be known, you must first be seen, and that requires the courage to speak. communication is the bridge between wanting someone and actually understanding them. tell them what moves you, what hurts you, your habits, your love language, literally be open about everything. that’s how you give them a fair chance to actually show up for you. i know it’s exhausting to repeat the “getting to know them” phase. and i am aware of how heartbreaking it is when you open up only for them to realize you aren’t their person. but that’s the risk we take for a genuine concern, i have realized that we cannot skip the process just because we’re afraid of the ending. don’t close your heart, somewhere out there is a person who won’t see your wounds as a burden but as part of your map. they aren’t there to be your therapist and fix you magically or fill out your void, they’re there to witness you, they’ll listen and remember even when things get complicated. hold out for the love that chooses to stay and understand, because you are worth the work.