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The Echoes of Leaving: How Abandonment Shaped My Journey with Loneliness
Loneliness. A heavy word, often cloaked in silence and shame. But for me, it’s a familiar ache, a constant companion stemming from a deeper wound: the fear and experience of abandonment. It began at the tender age of six, with the echoing absence of my father. His leaving wasn’t just a physical departure; it was a crack in the foundation of my world, a silent message that somehow, I wasn’t enough.
The Scar of Abandonment
A child’s love is a fierce, trusting thing. When that trust is shattered, the effects can be devastating. My world, once secure, became filled with a gnawing insecurity. Was I unlovable? What did I do wrong? These questions, unanswered, became a script that played on repeat in my mind.
The fear of abandonment morphed into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Relationships, both romantic and platonic, became a minefield. I built walls, afraid to get too close, anticipating the inevitable rejection. Even when things seemed secure, a shadow of doubt lurked, waiting for the other shoe to drop.