The Rough Crust

Hardened on the outside, still soft and hurting inside.

Dear Crumbheads,

You’ve built armor so no one sees how tender you still are. A crust that dares anyone to try breaking through—because softness has been punished before.

. . .

Hard crusts are my specialty. I once wore mine so well I got mistaken for a medieval shield.

Today, give yourself one moment to set the armor down. Just one. A breath, a sip of water, a hand resting on your cheek.

You don’t have to stay hard to stay safe. Underneath every crust is a soft place that deserves gentleness.

Let yourself be held, even if only by your own heart.