at some point, you really have to tell yourself "this isn't an experience i want to keep having" and stop entertaining things that don't benefit you in any way
bring back women having oddly specific personal traditions. peach cobbler on the first cold night. fresh flowers after payday. a solo birthday breakfast. champagne when something scary works out. give your life some folklore.
Your relationship with yourself cannot be built entirely around improvement. At some point, you have to become someone you are allowed to enjoy being. You get to be proud of who you are. Present tense.
someone told me yesterday that when they feel nervous about trying something new & their heart starts beating really fast, that they call it their “inner applause” because their body is cheering them on, and i think that’s the best narrative adjustment ever.