“Fear is the great enemy of intimacy. Fear makes us run away from each other or cling to each other but does not create true intimacy.” —Henri Nouwen

Remember that p*rn is a form of substitive intimacy. It is a synthetic intimacy. It may feel like the real thing, it may produce some of the brain chemicals that you need to live a happy life, but it’s ultimately not real. And when the post clarity kicks in, you realize this without fail. You are alone, there is no one to hold after it’s done, no one to share real intimacy with.

Seek out real intimacy. Seek out authentic interactions. Be true to yourself and walk your path without fear. No one can do this for you. No one can do what you can do. Find people, other real people. Be your best self, in whatever form that takes. Get mixed up, fuck up, learn from it, and go back again. The only important lesson of life is that the lessons never stop coming. So go out there and shine.