In this case, Yes to more pictures and more attention meant saying No to cherishing and protecting my body and being seen as more than just curved hips and a small waist. It meant saying Yes to the desires of a stranger and saying No to practicing my own ability to decide the terms in which I ...
There are some scenarios where this shift to the positive is medicinal (while navigating a minor disappointment, for example), some where it would feel delusional (when grieving is necessary, there is no detour around it; the heavy heart needs our feeling and healing, and pretending that only ...