tidy ~ janet (@tidest)

a phrase i've been thinking about lately: "how do i make them like me"
when you do a quick search of it, there's all these guides, all these steps that folks have put out there
how to manipulate
i feel that all of them are wrong, at the lowest level
manipulating someone into liking you
basing a relationship around that
it likely leads to a relationship that's strained at best, more likely toxic or even abusive
just leads to both parties being hurt

it might sound corny, cliche, overused, but being yourself really is the best route

and.. if they don't like you, that's ok
just keep being yourself, putting it all on display, diving into your interests
working to change yourself for the better
and given time, persistence
you'll find your community, those that do like you

and perhaps, with a bit of luck
you'll find it, that relationship that's closer, stronger, more open
than that manipulated relationship ever could have been