I still feel guilty when I become less accessible to protect my own mind

Dear Delyara, It feels unfair and old at the same time. If I slow replies, lower contact, or choose more silence because I know I’m nearing overload, guilt still comes quickly. Not because I think I’m wrong exactly. Because some part of me was trained to experience access to me as proof of goodness. I’m trying to build a more adult morality than that. One where kindness includes the right to protect the conditions under which kindness can survive. It’s slow work.