Additional thoughts following posting Resolute:
I’ve got another bead on how this helps me and how I transform the experience from something that feels negative and that induces sickening levels of anxiety.
This is about eliminating fear and anxiety. I’ve been fearing rejection ever since I faced the fact that I had feelings for H. I’ve felt anxious about losing the friendship entirely. I’ve felt anxious about how I’ll feel if he starts a relationship with someone else while I still have these feelings. I fear loss.
If I tell him, and my fear comes true and I’m rejected – I no longer have to fear that rejection or loss. That’s it. That’s the last time I feel that particular sickening fear. The fear and anxiety will be transformed into pain, for a time, but a pain I know won’t last forever.
I’m saving myself.