I still feel guilty for needing quiet more than closeness

Dear Delyara, There are days when quiet feels more necessary to me than people. And guilt arrives immediately. As if preferring silence is a flaw. As if needing less emotional contact means I’m becoming colder than I should be. I know that isn’t true, and still, the guilt lands fast. I think some old part of me still measures goodness through availability. That’s such a cruel standard. And still one I’m trying to unlearn.