About a week has passed.
For me, during that time, a world collapsed.
A lot happened all at once - my niece, and losing the connection with two people who meant a lot to me. No, not the removal of the Ladder.
I spent a lot of time reflecting over the past days.
For a long time I held on to the hope that everything might somehow become okay again. That maybe I could repair things. That everything would return to how it used to be.
When someone says they need time, that is hard.
Especially when that time window is undefined. Tomorrow. The day after. In a week. Or maybe someday.
It is easy to cling to even the smallest straw of hope.
For the people this concerns, this is not a closed door.
The door is still open. I am just no longer standing in the doorway every day waiting hopefully.
I will treat you the same way I treat everyone else - kindly and with respect.
And if the day comes when you want to come closer again, the door is still open. Come in, take a seat, and maybe just say hello.
While writing this, I realize that accepting it is still something I am struggling with.
I do not like giving up. But sometimes letting go also means giving the other person space.
At the same time, I also need to take care of the people who have been kind to me during this time. The ones who wrote to me. The ones who supported me.
People who thank me for the content, for the apps I built, or who simply ask how I am doing.
People who mention me in their articles and say that I inspired them.
Sometimes that feels strange. Then I think:
"I am not really doing anything that special."
But I also know that my inner imposter lies to me in those moments. I should simply believe people when they say these things.
So I will continue doing what I started building here.
I want to share ideas.
Try to inspire you.
Listen when someone has problems.
Support when help is needed.
And connect people with each other.
Maybe also just talk with you, if you like.
I am just unfortunately very bad at small talk 😄
So that this place can be more than just chasing metrics.
And so that I can support those who have been carrying and supporting this community for much longer than I have.
I have arrived.
Yours,
Valerie 💋