Presence Is a Privilege

Real Talk Vol. 20

I learned this the hard way.

Your presence is a gift.

Not a given.

Not an obligation.

And definitely not something people get to access just because they’re familiar.

Some people believe they can mistreat you, hurt you, confuse you,

and still orbit your life like nothing happened.

Like your energy is automatic.

Like your peace is expandable.

Like you’re supposed to make room no matter the cost.

Absolutely not.

Healing taught me something very clear:

peace is fragile in the beginning,

and it deserves protection.

I didn’t heal in a group.

I didn’t find clarity in chaos.

I didn’t rebuild myself while entertaining disruptions.

Healing was quiet.

Solo.

Intentional.

And because of that, I’m selective now.

Not cold.

Not bitter.

Just aware.

I don’t share my presence with people who destabilize my mental state.

I don’t explain my boundaries to people who already crossed them.

And I don’t feel guilty for choosing distance over dysfunction.

Presence is intimacy.

Presence is access.

Presence is energy.

And not everyone is entitled to that version of you,

especially the version you fought to become.

So if you’re in a season where you’re pulling back,

protecting your peace,

or choosing solitude over stress…

you’re not wrong.

You’re not cruel.

You’re not selfish.

You’re honoring yourself.

And that matters more than being available to people

who never handled you with care.

Choose where you show up.

Choose who gets your energy.

Choose yourself first.

Your presence is powerful.

Treat it like it is.

–C