"If I know a person for a very long time, at least I think, that person becomes too common, too ordinary... Another thing is that when someone begins to think that I am unique, or in some way special, two things happen to me. One, I lose my head and allow my pride to replace it. I get this unhealthy dose of self-righteousness that I cannot reject. Two, I start to think less of the person who sees me as unique, special. I think that precise thing happens because I donĀ“t feel as if I am worthy of appreciation and am unfit for love."
"I always felt your words were true enough to get me through anything, even time... You have something very pure and genius, something I look for in others, something others hope for in gods."
"I will carve into my flesh a promise to you, and I know I am the worst person in the world, but I want to commit suicide and I can't because I don't want my parents to cry. What the hell is wrong with me? You may be the only... person. Will you help me?"
"...How maddening, how debilitating. And tiny ages, slow tiredness come to rest on this flesh and pull it down. Oh awful emptiness, haven't I paid my share. Why do you visit me so often? Am I the right and proper feast?"
"I thought about how I wanted to spend my Sunday, how every time I made a movement away from my own selfishness, my mood changed rapidly from ease to fury... I've been this way for several days now. It's a look of ire I saw in a clerk's eyes, the isolation of work, and unending distractions my boyfriend cannot help but clutter his life with. I'm through with it all... Giving up, I feel withered and empty."
"Having forgotten what goodness it is to be alone, I realized how dim and foggy life is. I realized I may never be content or satisfied in this world, and that I may never really like people or feel appreciated by them."
"Thank you so much for caring, and for writing, and for struggling."
"You're right; I don't hug you when you're sad. The misogynist in me is quite hard to change, but I'm aware of that. I've even talked to my therapist about it and you know what he said: join the club... My passion for work is now seething resentment and bitterness. I keep thinking I would rather tear people's faces off rather than see another human being."
"I don't want to listen to [your words] any more, and I don't have to!"