I relate to that. It took a long time to tangle out what was me and what was the things that had been put on me -- I'm still sorting. Though yours is a good deal more literal.

I'm still learning to let people see me. I spent so long protecting myself by keeping what I wanted or cared about obscured. It's less exhausting, be seen, but a little terrifying too. I admire that you're more forthcoming about it.

Also what kind of pirate would I be if I didn't like new things? [ A surprising number of them actually, but he couldn't stand them. ]