11 Comments
User's avatar
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

Beautiful, Becky. Thank you.

I really resonate with this, too. I've found learning about masking on the one hand has felt very liberating. But then on the other hand it's been a bit like...oh no, was that me masking? Is that version of me even me? etc. But yes, I think allowing ourselves to be messy, complicated, nuanced beauties is important. That's growth right there, Becky! Re-read your letter and feel proud x

Expand full comment
Becky Handley (she/they)'s avatar

Thank you so much, Janelle. 🖤

Expand full comment
Unshamed (she/her)'s avatar

It's wonderful to see all the different images of you over time. I've always looked the same really. So much so that my primary school teacher recognised me 30 years later - when we bumped each other at a seaside town far away from home. 😂

I resonate with so much of this. Keep bringing those multi-facested selves to play and let them be heard & seen.

Jani x

Expand full comment
Becky Handley (she/they)'s avatar

Thank you so much, Jani 🖤

Expand full comment
Witchsmith's avatar

It sounds to me that you're identity of being changeable and mutable is part of who you are.I would embrace this, I have the same thing, i used to think i should be a certain thing but really all of us have to change, metamorphosis, shedding skins, new beginings,constant regeneration,the ouroboros these are very natural and part of nature..Its useful because you can adapt to a situation and act a part to better achieve what you want and adaptability is also useful for personal growth, flexible mind and creativity.I'm a pisces, but I have plenty of libra in my chart to balance, but that flexibility, going with a whim and a flow is positive so keep changing. Adapt to survive! love and bright blessings to you.

Expand full comment
Becky Handley (she/they)'s avatar

Thank you so much! 🖤

I am a Pisces too. I never really thought about that playing a part!

Expand full comment
Chelsey Flood's avatar

I relate so much! It's only in the last decade of my life that I've had the courage to invite my various friends to things. I don't have different looks really but definitely adopt different personas. Have my writer friends and my hometown friends, my drinking friends and my aa friends... It's been lovely to bring them together and see them hit it off or just make an effort. I'm so much better at tolerating social awkwardness these days. Thanks for sharing 😊

Expand full comment
Becky Handley (she/they)'s avatar

Thank you so much for reading, Chelsey. It's nice to know I'm not alone in any of this. 🖤

Expand full comment
Chelsey Flood's avatar

I grew up in derby too! Tho only just getting to know the shires really. I wasn't such a hiker back then 😅

Expand full comment
Ebony L's avatar

A fellow Raynor Winn fan!! I’m just having a nosey through some of your posts on my lunch break (will be coming back later!) and got actual chills twice now with our similarities. Reading The Salt Path is one of the ways I inadvertently discovered I’m autistic (I wrote about it in my first post). Subscribed! 💕

Expand full comment
Becky Handley (she/they)'s avatar

Yes, I've read through your posts and saw you'd mentioned Raynor Winn and Katherine May and I thought "I'm in!"😂 I found your posts very relatable too.

Thank you so much, Ebony. 🖤

Expand full comment