If I feel embarrassed to tell friends what is troubling me, can I write it down first?

Yes, you can begin by writing it down. When your mind is confused and you fear friends might laugh, it may be hard to speak immediately. Writing about your current circumstances can also help organise your thoughts and make it easier for others to understand what is hurting you.

Some people deeply need someone to listen when they feel defeated, yet do not know whom to approach or dare to speak. Miao Nian shared the experience of heartbreak: attention becomes trapped in one matter, making it hard to move beyond it alone. That is why having a few friends you can confide in matters. When distressed, a comforting sentence or a phone call where you can pour out your feelings may give your emotions an outlet.

If speaking to someone familiar feels more embarrassing, you can also find someone willing to talk with you and gradually explain the difficulty. When we received written messages in the past, we listened to the person’s sharing and then considered possible ways forward together. Writing or speaking does not mean every problem is solved. It first gives the concerns within somewhere to be organised and understood.

When discussing fear, Miao Yuan also shared writing down inner concerns: what you fear, which situations make you uneasy, what you like or dislike, and what kind of person you hope to become. This makes it easier to look back and recognise yourself. I agree with recording these things because thoughts kept only in the mind may be forgotten later. However, writing is a beginning in understanding. Afterwards, we still need to consider what adjustments are possible.