If you need to stay in the closet, that’s fine. If you need to hide who you are, that’s fine. If you need to lock yourself in the bathroom so you won’t be found when you cry, that is fine. People put so much emphasis on pride and self-love and unashamed extroversion that they often overlook what is safe and practical. If you need to keep secrets and keep only your own company, that is fine. You don’t have to tell the world about your problems and secrets right now in a blaze of fire and light with a chorus of angels descending from the heavens. Sometimes all you need is to keep things locked inside, whether that’s for safety, fear of embarrassment or just simple distaste for communication. It’s okay to hide and it’s okay to feel scared and ashamed. One day you won’t feel that way anymore. But if that’s how you feel right now, don’t let anyone tell you that you need to recover right this second.

- DD