There is so much compassion in this. I kept thinking about how many people probably carry these things in silence, and how powerful it is when someone finally puts words to an experience that can feel so hard to explain. I hope this finds the people who need it most. Thank you for writing it.
Thank you for reading with such an open heart. You named the exact hope I carried while writing: that putting words to a thing lets the heat out of it. Maybe naming is the cooling system no one taught us to build.
If this essay finds even one man standing over his sink with the cold water running, your wish will have come true.
With gratitude that refuses to stay silent - Dominic 🌻
Thank you. The laugh in front of the truth - I know that handshake well; the essay was written from inside it. Glad it found you. Next round of cold water is on me.
Authentic and vulnerable. "We can be the funniest man in the room and the loneliest soul on the planet." These masks that society hands out in adolescence never allow people the chance to simply be. The courageous work isn't becoming someone new...it's finally taking them off.
There is so much compassion in this. I kept thinking about how many people probably carry these things in silence, and how powerful it is when someone finally puts words to an experience that can feel so hard to explain. I hope this finds the people who need it most. Thank you for writing it.
Hello Sophie,
Thank you for reading with such an open heart. You named the exact hope I carried while writing: that putting words to a thing lets the heat out of it. Maybe naming is the cooling system no one taught us to build.
If this essay finds even one man standing over his sink with the cold water running, your wish will have come true.
With gratitude that refuses to stay silent - Dominic 🌻
Well done, my friend. 🤍 I think you're right. Sometimes naming something is where healing begins. I hope this reaches every person who needs it.
Thank you, Sophie - for everything, without exception. Your words found me at the right hour.
Dominic
🫶
I can relate, haha. Nice work.
Hello Justin,
Thank you. The laugh in front of the truth - I know that handshake well; the essay was written from inside it. Glad it found you. Next round of cold water is on me.
Dominic
This was so beautifully written, Dominic.
Authentic and vulnerable. "We can be the funniest man in the room and the loneliest soul on the planet." These masks that society hands out in adolescence never allow people the chance to simply be. The courageous work isn't becoming someone new...it's finally taking them off.