“It was true. I wasn't good with liking someone. my instinct was total self-preservation: show no sign of weakness. This was my pathetic way of being shy.”
Reflecting on this quote from Jennifer Castle, consider the following questions:
Have you ever struggled with showing vulnerability or weakness in front of someone you like? How do you typically react in those situations?
How do you think the fear of rejection or judgment plays a role in your reluctance to show your true feelings to someone else?
In what ways do you think societal norms or expectations influence how we express our emotions in relationships?
How can we work towards being more open and authentic in our interactions with others, especially when it comes to expressing our feelings of affection or admiration?
In this quote from Jennifer Castle, the speaker acknowledges their struggle with expressing affection towards someone. The speaker reveals that their instinct is to protect themselves by not showing any vulnerability, which they equate with being shy. This quote highlights the speaker's internal conflict between their desire to connect with others and their fear of being hurt or rejected. The speaker's self-awareness in recognizing their defense mechanism adds depth to their character and allows readers to empathize with their internal struggles.
In today's society, there is still a stigma around showing vulnerability or weaknesses, especially in the realm of relationships. Jennifer Castle's quote highlights the struggle many individuals face in expressing their true feelings out of fear of being hurt or judged. This quote resonates with those who may have a hard time opening up and being genuine in their interactions with others.
"It was true. I wasn't good with liking someone. my instinct was total self-preservation: show no sign of weakness. This was my pathetic way of being shy." - Jennifer Castle
“Laurel, I hope you find something like this, a little self-destructive habit you can turn to every once in a while, when you’re tired of being good. It will keep you sane.”
“It seemed like the only way to keep breathing was to focus on the here and now, moment by moment, keeping my mind frozen cold to anything else.”
“I don’t know, Laurel,” said David, and I loved how he said my name, like he enjoyed it.”
“Sometimes my life here felt like a cage where I could never escape the pain. At other times it felt like the only firm ground on earth”
“Holding the knife with the blade against my palm, it became so clear how my life would only contain shadows now. Shadows of things gone; not just the people themselves but everything connected to them. Was this my future? Every moment, every tiny thing I saw and did and touched, weighted by loss. Every space in this house andmy town and the world in general, empty in a way that could never be filled.”
“I quickly imagined that I could reach my hand into my chest, yank out that awful feeling, place it on an invisibl ecloud of air right in front of me, then push it away. Push it away”