Growing up, I never felt emotions like empathy and sympathy. When people grieved or someone died, I didn’t feel anything. I thought something was wrong with me, like I was different or even a monster. I was too scared to tell anyone, so I cried alone, thinking I was a bad person.

As an adult, I still don’t feel some emotions, but I’ve learned to accept it. I feel better about myself now. I know that feeling differently doesn’t make me a monster; it just makes me human.