Seeking Peace in Uncertain Times

"Please be kind. Don’t be the reason someone didn't eat today. Don’t be the reason someone hates their body. Don’t be the reason why someone doesn’t join in on a conversation. Don’t be the reason why someone hates themselves. trust me, it sticks with them forever."

    With all the rumors circulating these past few days, a particular thought keeps resurfacing: “You should know who to trust. You must know your people.” It has become so apparent that trust, once easily given, needs to be earned more carefully. People, without realizing it, can be swayed by false or incomplete information, leading to a misunderstandings that can have real consequences. In moments like this, all I seek is peace of mind, for my own well-being and mental clarity. I don’t want to get involved in the drama or chaos of the situation, but I find myself unable to shake off the nagging thought: what if someday this happens to me? The thought of being misunderstood or wrongly judged weighs heavily, and it makes me realize that I have to be more cautious in my words and actions, especially when I’m unsure of who truly deserves my trust.

It’s unsettling to notice that my trust issues are getting worse. People I used to feel comfortable confiding in, the ones I once saw as my safe space, now seem distant and unfamiliar. It’s as though I’ve begun to question whether they truly understand or accept this current version of me, or if they’re still clinging to an image of who I used to be. The fear that they won’t embrace my growth, my evolving self, makes me feel like I need to create space between us. It’s hard to reconcile the idea that people I once considered my closest friends, no longer seem to see me in the same way, or maybe they never did.

Is this what growing up feels like? Is this how it works? It feels like the more I mature, the more isolated I become. And yet, there’s this constant pressure to be perfect, to always do what is right, what is expected. Because if I falter, if I make the slightest mistake, it feels like I will be judged, misunderstood, or even labeled by others. It’s exhausting to live with this invisible standard, trying to be good enough for everyone else when what I really want is to just be at peace with myself.

But perhaps this is also part of learning, of maturity. Maybe distancing myself from certain people and situations isn’t about losing them but about protecting myself. Trust is a delicate thing, and I am learning that not everyone is meant to hold that part of me. Not everyone is meant to walk with me through every phase of my life. And that’s okay. What matters most is that I find those few who can truly see me and accept me, flaws and all. Until then, I need to be careful, careful of my words, careful of my actions, but most importantly, careful of my heart.