I follow this young lady on Instagram, and seeing her posts brings up a lot of emotions for me—and not in a bad way. It’s not about romance, sexual desire, wanting to date, or any of that “simp” crap. It’s that she has so much going on, and part of me just wants to help. At the same time, what she shares helps me and so many others. She’s adamant about giving back and sharing the things that saved her life or helped her heal. It seems like she is embracing the thing in her life that she once avoided. I like listening to her express herself.
Part of me wants to reach out and say, “Hey, I’m here for you, too.” But when I dig into the “why,” I have to question my motives: Why do I feel that urge? Is it because I want to feel special? Do I want recognition for being helpful, or is it genuine care? Does she just need a hug, or someone to sit there and listen? It’s strange trying to unpack my own internal motives when I want to support someone.
When it all comes to “why” I need three helping verbs.
Why did I? Why am I? Why do I?
What really draws me in is her psychology. She has absolutely zero filter, and I find that incredible. Is she physically attractive in my view? Sure, aren’t we all in our own way? But to some people, her unfiltered nature would be a nightmare; to others, she’s amazing for living unapologetically. It’s hard to describe—she feels like a “de-influencer,” but, not. I want to tell her, “Hey, you’re not alone,” but she already has thousands of followers. I’m always drawn to that kind of raw energy, mostly because I’m constantly trying to figure out what makes people tick. I need raw honesty sometimes.
From across the street, most people might try to avoid her. But get a little closer, and the whole picture changes. She’s living proof of the old cliché: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.