I Forgot My Face Was Tense

Dear Delyara, I caught my reflection in a dark window and realised my whole face was tight. Jaw clenched. Eyes hard. Mouth set. I hadn’t noticed. That’s what stress does to me now — it builds quietly in the body until I start looking like someone trying to survive something I haven’t even admitted is difficult yet. I softened my face on purpose after that. It felt strange. Almost emotional. Maybe we hold more than we know.