The author reflects on the damaging effect of societal pressures that diminish one's personal experiences of trauma. Believing that one's pain should not be significant compared to worse stories led to a harsh self-judgment for not moving on quickly from past hurts. This mindset fostered a numbness toward one's own suffering, creating unrealistic standards for what should merit grieving.

The long-term impact was a suppression of empathy, leading to a calloused response to both personal and others' pain. Over time, this warped perception stifled the validation of feelings, revealing how cultural narratives can undermine individual experiences and emotional well-being.