and by "the man" I mean any-fucking-one.

Since I first started blogging here I had a few incidents that shook me and made me consider giving up and not continuing to post such raw, personal stories publicly. Mainly trolls, and mean people. People who would mock me, blame me, or just mess with me.

These were NOT the majority though.

And I got messages from abuse victims on other sites where I shared my blog, thanking me, telling me I gave them a voice. Telling me I am their hero. Saying how they hope to be as confident as me one day and open up about their own story.

To go back into hiding? To not admit their feelings or tell their story out of fear? To stay silent and hold all of that pain and trauma inside until it eats away at them internally?

Nah, I don't like that idea. I like being loud and I like being raw and I like telling my god-damn story.

Regardless of who likes it, or who believes it. Regardless of if people want to make fun of me for it. I got bullied my entire life as a kid but I am twenty-goddamn-eight years old now and I be damned if some internet bullies are going to keep me silent.

I have a platform now and I like this platform and I like this voice and nobody is going to shut me up.

Love you, steemit.