The Guest List

​There is a fine line between arrogance and knowing one’s worth. There is a beautiful, quiet space between knowing who you are and knowing what you need. Often, when we begin to speak about our boundaries, it can be mistaken for pride. But for me, it isn’t about being “superior” or “arrogant.” It is simply about finally finding the words for a heart that has been quiet for too long.
​I am a humble person. I have walked through my own storms, and I carry my own scars. I know that life is rarely black and white. However, I’ve learned that you can be discreet without being distant. You can be wounded without being silent. But I also know what I bring to the table: honesty, depth, and a heart that is finally ready to be happy.
​We all come with wounds. I understand that better than you think I do. I also understand that some lives require a great deal of discretion and subtlety—professional roles that demand a quiet, guarded existence. But discretion should never be a substitute for clarity.

​You don’t need to have all the answers to be clear. You can say, “I don’t know what I want yet, but I know I like being in your orbit.” You can say, “My world is complicated right now, but I still see you.” Intentions are the only map we have in the fog of a new connection. When there is only confusion, the “architecture” we try to build together crumbles before the first brick is even laid. I am at a point in my life where I no longer have the energy to solve mysteries or hunt for traces of interest in the shadows. I am not asking for perfection; I am asking for the courage to be seen.

​I know my worth, and part of that worth is knowing that I deserve a witness who is brave enough to stay in the light with me. If you are still observing from the sidelines, know this: I am not judging your pace, but I don’t know how much longer I can wait for you to find your voice in the silence. Not because I am searching for a relationship, I’m content and happy on my own, learning and (hopefully) growing as I go. But I just don’t think it’s fair to have a person wait for you, while you are not even sure if you want to at least get to know her better.

I choose this path of clarity not to close doors, but to make sure that the ones I keep open lead to a place of peace, for both parties involved.

Catalina Oana