Today you can set a goal of working towards being the person you want to be. You can communicate this change to people you know. You can tell them you are changing, that you are unhappy with who you were before, and that you want something different. You say they don’t know you: start having meaningful conversations that allow that knowing to take place. Or heck, even playing games that allow those to happen, like two truths and a lie, or carry The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock with you. You say the wall comes up with your problems written all over it. That’s fine, as long as you admit your problems, while at the same time not allowing people to walk all over you because of them.

Yes, you should be open, and yes, you should be slow. It’s ok to ask somebody “do you want to talk about something else or is this ok?” Because even with the right person, it’s not always the right time. If they say they wouldn’t have let you get close, then that is a great way to know you are spending time on the wrong person.

Treat yourself well. Be honest. Take constructive criticism, but not malicious criticism. Don’t be ashamed that you are not perfect, because nobody is.