I'm 37 and I haven't felt real joy in years, and it isn't because I'm broken, it's because I've been keeping everyone else okay for so long I forgot I was allowed to feel anything for myself - Silicon Canals

"When you become the person everyone relies on, you start believing that your worth is directly tied to how well you keep everyone else afloat."

"You've gotten so good at wearing the mask of 'I'm fine' that even you've started believing it. You've become a master at deflecting any concern about your wellbeing."

"I thought if I could just keep everyone around me stable and happy, I'd find my own peace. Spoiler alert: it doesn't work that way."

"Attachment in Buddhism is not just about clinging to material things; it's about how we attach our identity to roles and expectations."

At 37, a realization emerged about the absence of genuine joy in life, replaced by a role as a problem solver for others. This reliance on external validation leads to neglecting personal needs and happiness. The cycle of supporting others without self-care creates an invisible weight, where worth is tied to others' stability. The concept of attachment in Buddhism highlights how identity can become entangled in roles, further complicating the pursuit of personal joy and fulfillment.

Read at Silicon Canals