If the image of an adult woman deeply engrossed in the adolescent romance saga of vampires and werewolves is confusing, bear with me. I have a point.

I mull over the Twilight series more often than I’ll admit. Like naming my puggle Mr. Edward Pug—shortened to "Mr. Pug." But I digress.

Edward, portrayed by (dreamy) Robert Pattinson, has the ability to read Bella's mind. It's a blessing and a curse. This supernatural ability is one I envy, even strive for. The ability to understand someone else's thoughts.

I text my neighbor thanks for having us over. Hours go by. No response. Signifying, of course, that she read and purposefully ignored my message. A consequence, I’m convinced, is because of my offbeat comment about "how I would not have survived the Titanic," in reference to the bitterly cold weather.

Then, there’s the investor who remarked that our marketing could be "even more fun.” Insinuating, I assume that I needed to be more fun.

Or my spouse not changing the toilet paper signaling he saw it as my job, right?

Internal narratives grow at a rapid rate. Thanks to the brain’s skill at connecting the dots. Stories wove on available data. Data that is, often, incomplete, misleading, or off-base.

We place an odd amount of trust in these narratives. A defense mechanism to shield ourselves from vulnerability. The vulnerability of not knowing how others perceive us is something we rarely get to know.

I’m incredibly confident in certain spaces. Offer me advice on a paint color or style feedback - I'll smile and move the conversation along. In other areas, I find myself guessing how to meet expectations at the risk of my own well-being.

Predicting what others want has, in the past, felt safer than expressing my own needs. I’m starting to realize the cost of my silence. Whether in a business meeting or dinner party. How can anyone know who I am — if I hold back?

We, humans, are not eternally youthful, strikingly-attractive vampires with the power to read minds. As it turns out, being superhuman isn’t necessary when we have the courage to express, even messily, our own thoughts, dreams, and aspirations. It’s the secret to being seen and understood. A deeper human desire in us all.

I'm still learning. I’m sure you’re shocked to find out I’m internally messy. Then, I remember, aren’t we all?