Your body has been your fortress.
Every muscle remembers the work of holding everything together.
Close your eyes.
Breathe in slowly. Notice where you're braced.
Breathe out and let your jaw unclench.
Breathe in again.
Picture a steady hand reaching toward yours. Not demanding, just offered.
You don't need to take it. Just see that it exists.
Continue breathing.
With each exhale, release the grip you didn’t know you were holding.
You were never meant to carry it all alone.