Men are regularly excluded from spaces of empathy, reflection, and healing. And when people consistently feel rejected or dismissed or treated with contempt, they’re forced to go elsewhere to feel seen and heard.

I was convinced that failing to follow the rules set out for me would lead only to suffering, isolation, stress, and low self-worth. I was wrong on all fronts. In fact, trying to live by these rules and notions pretty consistently led to everything I was trying to avoid.

The gifts of independence can only do so much to counteract the emotional toll of isolation.