I’m just learning to be soft

I believe that at some point I was gentle, carefree, and I allowed myself to be vulnerable.
I’m not sure what happened, or when it happened, but eventually I became harsh and quite bitter.

I kept people at a distance, I refused to make meaningful connections, I isolated myself from everything and everyone, and I was content with my loneliness.
I wanted people to fear me, and they did.

I’m still trying to unlearn this mentality, it’s a lot more difficult than it seems. Letting your guard down after so many years of being protected by it is very daunting.