Are you ready?

When I was 17, I knew I was bi but I was terrified of other people's judgement, how they would react and if they would look at me differently. I came out to a couple of friends when I was 17 but I didn't manage to tell my family as I didn't want them to look at me or treat me differently. Because of this, I retracted and pushed myself back into the closet and pushed all thoughts and feelings of being bi to the side. I pushed them away for 8 years, pretending I was straight, not allowing myself to be 100% me but looking back now, this was the worst thing I could've done. I came out at 25. I finally overcame the fear of judgement but it didn't come easy. I told my family that I was bi and now I'm out and proud but I still find it difficult to tell strangers as I don't know how they would react. I feel more myself than ever and I feel so supported by my friends and family too.