(Coming Out Part 2) Confronting Darkness

What emotion are you feeling right now or have you felt today? Can you name it? It took me years to answer that question. For most of my life, I buried my emotions under layers of survival mechanisms, focusing on what others felt and how they might react, while ignoring my inner world.

As a child, I learned to navigate an environment filled with anger and fear. “Because I said so” was a constant refrain. Questioning authority, even to understand why, often led to outbursts. Over time, I dissociated from sadness and fear, replacing them with a protective anger that felt safer.

But anger is a heavy shield, and carrying it disconnected me from joy, peace, and ultimately myself. By the time I was 27, I felt hollow, like a machine running on autopilot.

That year, an emergency appendectomy became a turning point. Lying in a hospital bed, I realized I wasn’t just ignoring my emotions - I was ignoring my life. It was a wake-up call that led me to start a decade-long journey of introspection, therapy, and, ultimately, coming out.

What Coming Out Meant to Me

When I came out as gay, it wasn’t just about my sexuality. It was a step toward living authentically in all aspects of my life. At the time, I was so detached from my emotions that even my coming-out email read like a press release. But the responses I received showed me how much love and support had been there all along.

Friends and family members’ words of unconditional love helped me understand something I’d missed for years: I didn’t have to hide to be accepted. But embracing authenticity isn’t a single event - it’s a daily practice.

What I’ve Learned Along The Way to Living As My Authentic Self

1. Depression distorts reality. It convinces you that you’re alone, even when you’re surrounded by love. If you feel this way, reach out - to a therapist, a friend, or a loved one. You don’t have to navigate it by yourself.

2. Curiosity and kindness go a long way. Ask “why” - not just of systems and processes, but of people. Honest, open conversations can transform relationships and reveal hidden struggles.

3. Healing requires a village. Therapy, friends, and family have all played roles in my journey. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are countless resources and people who can help.

4. Authenticity is freeing. Showing up as yourself, even when it feels vulnerable, is worth it. It’s the foundation of connection, purpose, and joy.

An Invitation

Sharing this journey has been deeply personal, but also healing. It’s a reminder that even in our hardest moments, there’s strength in reaching out, reflecting, and growing.

Now, I want to invite you to pause and reflect.

What does living authentically mean in your life? How are you showing up as your true self in your relationships, your work, and your everyday moments?

Take a moment to think about it - maybe even write it down or share it with someone close to you.

When we take time to reflect on authenticity, we create more space for deeper connection, understanding, and growth – both within ourselves and with others.

This is your invitation to explore, to reflect, and to take one small step closer to your true self.