Isolation

 I hear the word isolation used often.

I understand why it’s said.

And I also understand where it doesn’t fit my life.

There is a difference between disappearing out of fear

and standing alone because clarity requires space.

I didn’t choose distance to punish myself.

I learned distance because reaching out often met silence.

Because honesty made people uncomfortable.

Because my life didn’t fit the images that make others feel safe.

I see now that solitude is not the same as isolation.

Solitude is regulated.

It is quiet without collapse.

It is presence without performance.

I learned how to be my own company

when connection became conditional.

When belonging required appearance.

When advice asked me to shrink instead of align.

This taught me something real:

not all community is nourishing,

and not all connection is respectful.

Silence can be medicine.

Self-companionship can be strength.

And dignity matters more than approval.

I don’t reject people.

I reject false belonging.

I remain open — but not available for erasure.

Grounded — not withdrawn.

Present — not performing.

Nothing is broken in me.

I adapted with intelligence.

I chose coherence over comfort.

And that choice continues to teach me who I am.

Yoruba Yogi