Sarah Nyhan

Just like hate isn’t the opposite of love, sadness isn’t the opposite of happiness. I can feel sad while also being happy. Sadness comes from a place of love, not a place of despondency. As long as I feel sad, I am still in a really good place.

It is when that sadness is repressed that things get ugly. In my opinion.

And people do it probably mostly unconsciously, but I think overwhelmingly because they have been socialized to know that other people don’t want to deal with their sadness.

They know they will be rejected or looked down upon if they express anything other than that good ol’ American sturdiness. Where we push through anything. Even blow ourselves up and call it freedom. (Yet absolutely no shade to those who didn’t know better.)

What people are feeling right now is rage! Manifesting in so many different, very strong ways.

We’ve been lied to. We’ve been used. We sacrificed our best to those who completely manipulated us for their own selfish gain.

And we are rightfully pissed!

But still not in our full power. Not unified.

It takes a few wild horses to break from the pack. To show everyone else that there is nothing to be afraid of. Or that it’s worth it either way.

I’m not apologizing anymore because you can’t handle my feelings.

I’m not staying small just so you can continue in your delusions.

I’m not waiting for you to wake up before I go and live what’s left of this incredibly mysterious human experience.