I like you so much better when you're naked.

Say what you have to say.

The number one rule about getting into a relationship with someone is giving them their due respect. Respect (and expect) their loyalty, respect their boundaries, respect their opinions and respect their decisions.
Keep your hands clean, your thoughts cleaner, and your wounds covered.
The second rule of a relationship is when you start finding rule number one, too restrictive (and being as nosy as we are, we are bound to), stop right there. Because while loyalties and respect are right in their own places. I have a massive issue with prolonged barriers people set up claiming to shield themselves from emotional blows aimed at them in their vulnerable state.
In my opinion, setting up defenses, building boundaries and  erecting walls around your head to filter people out is a bullshit idea. Yes, BULLSHIT.
Because sometimes your partner needs you to intervene and save them before they're too far gone. Whether they know it or not.
It feels cruel and against common sense at first, but it works.
Sure, you could always argue that after bringing your guard down something might whirl in to hurt you, leave you wounded and scarred all over again but hey, that's that whole point of life. You learn. You get wiser. And you learn to fend for yourself and not repeat your mistakes.
You can't keep burying things inside, you cant keep running from the world and building walls to keep people out. Unless of course you want to wind up alone, old, in a room full of cats. Then, yeah. Go ahead and knock yourself out.
Picture a garden. Lush. Green. Now, picture your mind as that garden- Full of whispers and the scurry of ghosts. Trecherous vines glisten with sparkling dew drops as they curl themselves around you with invisible cords, cutting into your skin and sucking the trust out of you. On the outskirts ancient walls, streaked with moss, buldging with supressed memories like a dam nudging you impatiently, waiting for your permission to burst.
Isn't it easier to just let yourself flow? To not worry about the consequences of evrey little action you make? To not disect every situation and contemplate on its inevitable results?
To unentangle yourself from that choking vine?

Strip off your insecurities.Shed your fierce defenses. Stay emotionally naked, not with everyone, but with people you trust.
You're so much more attractive that way.

The healing process begins with simple words, an effort, the tearing down of long guarded walls. You have to expose every little shadow of negativity to a world of probabilities and fresh beginnings.
You risk exposure for the sake of healing, and when it's over, once the long caged demons have been freed, trust me love, you'll thank me.

- A rather pissed off Tangledtofu.