I’m not only afraid of getting it wrong. I’m afraid of everyone seeing that I cared.

Dear Delyara, That is the part I don’t think people say often enough. Failure hurts, yes. But public sincerity hurts too. Letting people know what matters to you, what you hoped for, what you invested yourself in — that can feel almost more dangerous than the outcome itself. If it all goes wrong, they haven’t only seen the result. They’ve seen your wanting. So I refine the plan, improve the wording, hide behind preparation, and tell myself I’m simply being sensible. In truth, I am often trying to reduce the visibility of my own vulnerability before the world gets a chance to touch it. I am tired of how much energy that takes.