I feel guilty for being hard to reach when I’m low

Dear Delyara, Even when I’m genuinely overwhelmed, part of me still feels guilty for going quiet. As if other people are entitled to the version of me that is responsive, emotionally available, socially smooth, and easy to access, no matter what kind of private weather I am living in. I know that’s not fair to myself. I know rest and retreat are normal human needs. Still, guilt arrives before peace does. That pattern runs deeper in me than I would like.