Let's Do Better Ghouls! (Extra Readings: Helpful tips on self improvement.)

Reactive abuse.

Yeah, he/she/they were toxic but I was toxic too.

I slammed doors and cabinets.

I acted out of anger and posted hurtful things on social media.

I chased after people.

I spam called and texted nonstop.

I disrespected their boundaries.

I done awful things in many other ways that I'm not proud of.

But I went to therapy/counseling, apologies were made, and responsibility was taken.

The effort was constant and growth was pursued.

Space was carved for middle ground.

I tried to do better and reflect on my behavior.

I showed up again and again.

I can't say others ever did the same.

My toxicity was learned from being unseen, unheard, and overwhelmed.

Some people never faced the hard conversations.

Fingers were pointed instead of looking in the mirror.

They avoided accountability leaving me to carry the weight alone.

Toxicity isn't just in how we break.

It lies in the choices we make after we break.

It's in whether we choose to repair.

In the willingness to face the damage we've done and pain we've caused.

In taking responsibility for the ways we've hurt others and ways we hurt each other.

And showing up even when it's hard.

So don't make my reaction the issue when your actions lit the match.