Summary

The author reflects on a new relationship, expressing cautious optimism due to past experiences with toxic partners, and is hopeful about the potential for genuine love and mutual appreciation with this new person who seems to be different.

Abstract

The text is a personal reflection on a budding relationship, where the author acknowledges a pattern of attracting toxic men but finds herself pleasantly surprised by a new acquaintance who appears to be an "outlier." This individual's apparent sincerity and respect, such as appreciating small personal details like the stickers on her car, encourage her to strive for better in the relationship. The author is guarded, having been hurt before, and is taking her time to open up, fearing the difficulty of walking away should things not work out. She prefers to share positive stories with this new person and is selective about revealing her past, wanting to be seen for who she is becoming rather than who she was. The author values being heard and understood, and the right words hold significant meaning for her.

Opinions

The author is typically drawn to toxic partners but is wary of repeating past patterns.
She perceives the new person as different and potentially genuine in their affection.
The author is analytical and considers the new acquaintance an exception to her usual experiences.
She is cautious about opening up fully, mindful of the pain of previous relationships.
The author prefers to share positive aspects of her life and self initially, rather than delving into her past struggles.
She places high importance on feeling heard and appreciated, which she sees in the new relationship.
The author is selective in what she reveals, aiming to present the best version of herself to her new acquaintance.

Outlier

I just met you and every night, I go to bed so,

So grateful that I’m wrong. At least, so far.

I don’t usually write pieces like this, but I

Usually don’t talk to guys like you. See, I

Attract toxic men like flies to honey, I’m

Still expecting for you to lie to me, just

Waiting for you to turn around and tell me that I

Should have read the fine print…but you didn’t.

I have an analytical mind and I

Pore over the data in my spare time. At first glance, it

Seems like you’re an outlier. Giving me

Incentive to do better, aim higher. I

Want you to be everything you say you are. For

Your love to be genuine just like the way you

Appreciate the stickers on my car. I

Mind my business, not like this was about me

Deciding to raise the bar but I

Hope you know if it takes me time it’s cause if I

Let you in, it’ll be hard to walk away just like I

Used to have to do with him, it seemed like every other day, that’s why I

Am this way.

I have a story and you like my writing but you

Can read a friendly chapter, one that makes you

Feel good after you hear it for the first time. We

Don’t have to talk about the other eight of my

Nine lives. That can wait; we have time. I

Want you to meet the woman I’m

Trying so hard to be, not all of my past-selves, you

Wouldn’t recognize me.

Just enough snapshots for you

To know I’m strong and just enough dialog for you

To see I can admit when I’m

Wrong and just enough words for you

To know it means a lot to me when someone

Makes me feel heard, just enough words.