"Why are you so afraid to open up?"

Opening up makes me feel vulnerable, and it's not a feeling that I enjoy. I choose my people -- All of which I can count on one hand. I wasn't like this a few years ago, though. I had such an open heart back then that sometimes it's still hard to believe that this is who I am now.

It really sucks when you completely open yourself up to another person, where you let them break through the wall you've worked so hard to construct. You share all your past, your mistakes, your dreams with them, hoping for them to become part of your future. And maybe they have done the same with you. But the harsh reality is feelings are only temporary, the beginnings are always the greatest, but the ending, you can never expect. Once you open yourself up to someone, you're giving them a part of you. A part for them to take along once they leave and a part that will leave you incomplete, broken. And that's what always gets me, I've given away too much of myself to get back. 

Over the years, I've grown to become someone to keep a lot to myself, and have improved the ability to handle situations on my own. I'm not as dependent on other individuals to be there for me, and that's okay. Sometimes you have to stand alone just to make sure you still can.