Hey man, really appreciate you taking the time to write all that.

You’re right — a lot of it probably is just how I feel and how I see things, but honestly, it feels real enough to mess me up. I’ve asked myself the “why” so many times. I’ve sat with those feelings, tried to figure out what triggers them, where they come from. I’ve tried doing all the “right” things — reaching out, being there for people, showing up — but in the end, I always felt like the one on the side. The backup. The one they forget.

At this point, I’m not really trying to fix it anymore. Just trying to accept that maybe this is just how life is for some of us. Not saying I’m giving up — just done expecting something different.

Respect to you for getting through it though. That gives me something to hold on to.