When people are involved, someone is bound to get hurt.

Let me get this straight,

To prevent ourselves from getting hurt, we unintentionally hurt other people. Those people in return will either hurt you or someone else. Now everyone is hurting each other, but no one will say anything because — ego. This cycle will continue until someone consciously cuts all the ties and chooses isolation or finds some new people, and this happens all over again.

Wow.

As an only child with divorced parents, I often wondered if my room was filled with actual people instead of devices and 25 different tools for my numerous hobbies. That’s definitely an exaggeration, but I’ve had hobbies. A lot of them. And it was all nice, simple, peaceful until people got involved.

How is it possible that those same humans who’ve given me the best memories are also why I’ve cried at midnight?

Dealing with people is so complicated. And I would like it to be, simple, peaceful, and not anxiety-inducing.

Which seems impossible right now.

So, I’ll choose isolation once again. Will create art and write my sorrows away. Vibe with Olivia Rodrigo’s songs in full volume and yoga man — how can we forget yoga? It’s time to bring Adriene back! (She’s my favorite yoga instructor and also the love of my life).

All of this will work like magic for a few months. But no matter how much you try to isolate, life eventually brings people into the picture. And it’s those very people who add color to your life, who make you laugh until your stomach hurts — only to be the reason you can’t sleep at 3 a.m.

I get it now: life with people will never be simple.

But the truth is, we need people, even when they hurt us. Because in between the hurt, there’s love, laughter, and connection that we can’t find alone.

I guess the real challenge is finding a balance between isolation and connection. Between protecting yourself and opening up to others. It’s not easy, and that’s the point. People are messy. Relationships are messy. And yeah, hurt happens. But maybe, just maybe — it’s worth the risk.

Right now, I’ll focus on the hobbies that make me feel alive and the solitude that brings me peace. And if people get involved again, well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. Until then, it’s just me, Adriene, and Olivia Rodrigo’s lyrics as my anthem.

Maybe that’s enough for now. Maybe that’s okay.