14 Comments
Mar 20Liked by erin donohue

“I didn’t want them to think I was just like every other girl.” YES I resonate with this. This entire piece was absolutely amazing, thanks for writing ✨🫶🏻

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thank YOU for reading! I'm SO relieved to not be alone in this feeling 🫶🏻

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Mar 19Liked by erin donohue

I loved reading this so much, absolutely relate!

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thank you so much! 🫶🏻

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amazing read!

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Love this!! I saw them at Yankees Stadium last year!!

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Thank you! Was it amazing?

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Yes!!!

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Mar 19Liked by erin donohue

I wish I could express myself like the way I do to the public sometimes and with my friends like I do with my family. Unfortunately, expressing myself in such large ways such as dancing causes discomfort from my surrounding family members. As a result, I have to dim myself around them for their comfort. It causes too much hurt and trouble if I were to unmask. I have to mask a little to benefit the situation at large. I am neurodivergent btw.

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I'm so sorry. You deserve to be your full, unedited self whenever you want and need. I hope you have people who love you and your expression unconditionally and if you don't, I hope you find them so soon. They are out there.

I am neurodivergent too and so are many of my friends. But I didn't come to many of my most special relationships and community, where I feel accepted, until recently. There is still time to find space where and people with whom you can be whoever you want. I'm sending you love 🫶🏻

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Erin! This essay had me smiling the whole time. I was 21 the first time I saw the Jonas Brothers and I had the time of my life. (Also saw One Direction when I was 24 and definitely the oldest one in my row lol) This was such a nostalgic piece and I loved reading how you are reclaiming what you love. I think we need the obsession of our youth because joy can seem so far away as an adult at times. Sometimes you just need the Jo Bros

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Thank you so much! You're so right! Holding on to anything that brings me joy is a survival tactic. It really is all the little, seemingly unimportant things, that are really important to feeling good

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I have been thinking so much about the link between comfortability in one's own skin and aging as I just turned 24 (I know, still a ways to go! But I can feel the tangible progress.) Something really special about knowing yourself and actually loving her, not putting it on for show any more. Thanks for writing to it <3

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yes!!! i used to roll my eyes at people who said "things get better" but like????? they do??????

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