In my past blog posts, as someone who practices parallel life, I have often shared my experiences in a positive light, sometimes even crafting them into “beautiful stories.” I did this with the intention of inspiring my readers, to move them and give them hope. But when I paused and looked inward, I realized there was a deep sense of discomfort hidden beneath the surface.

Is it really right to dismiss the pain and challenges I faced as something that “became a strength”? That question began to linger in my mind. Yes, by turning my experiences into beautiful stories, I found a sense of comfort, and I wanted to deliver a positive message to my readers. But deep down, there was always the feeling that my experiences couldn’t be summed up neatly in a beautiful narrative.

I’ve often been told that the hardships I endured after becoming severely disabled have made me stronger today. Yet, in reality, that journey was just plain “suffering.” It wasn’t some path designed to lead me to strength; it was a harsh reality that I had no choice but to face. It hurts when the genuine pain and sorrow I felt are brushed aside by forcing them into the framework of a beautiful story.

Society has this ingrained habit of turning everything into a “beautiful narrative.” Especially when it comes to people with disabilities or those who’ve overcome great difficulties, phrases like “it’s because of those struggles that you are who you are today” are often used. Sure, some people might find comfort in such words, but for those of us who’ve lived through it, such comments can feel like a burden. Suffering doesn’t need to be glorified—it should simply be respected for what it is.

I realize now that I have been overly focused on “inspiring” through my blog. While it’s rewarding to see my stories resonate with many, I have come to recognize that I was covering up my true feelings in the process. The hardships I’ve faced don’t need to be turned into something beautiful. There’s no need to force meaning out of them.

Going forward, I want to focus on sharing my truth as it is. In practicing parallel life, we don’t have to be perfect. It’s okay to admit when things are hard, and we should have more spaces where that honesty is welcomed. I hope my blog can contribute to creating such spaces, where people feel free to express themselves without the pressure of turning their struggles into inspirational tales.

If you, the reader, have ever felt the need to turn your hardships into a beautiful story, I encourage you to step back and simply be honest with yourself. It’s not a sign of weakness but a way to take care of yourself. I will continue to share my true feelings here on this blog.

Together with my readers, I hope we can start exploring the choice of “not turning everything into a beautiful story” as we walk our parallel life paths. I hope this post resonates with you and spreads widely, helping to encourage this shift. Thank you for reading.