Kristina

“Sometimes, adults need a villain in order to make sense of something that’s too painful to understand.”
― Khristin Wierman, This Time Could Be Different

“It seems like a strange idea, but it’s quite simple. We’re shaped
by the stories we’re told about ourselves when we’re young. As we
age, we have the chance to decide whether those narratives really
fit or whether we want something different. But changing often
requires us to—” Olivia seemed to search for words. “Untangle
ourselves from the old script.”
― Khristin Wierman, This Time Could Be Different

“Sometimes, the stories we’re told when we’re young about what it means to be,” she made air quotes, “good, don’t take into account our own needs.” She paused in that way she had, to let things sink in. “If we were talking about you and a child you’d agreed to care for, we’d be having a different conversation. But we’re not. We’re talking about you and another adult. Is something really good if it makes another person happy but makes you miserable? Is that how the adult you are now chooses to define what's good?”
― Khristin Wierman, This Time Could Be Different

“Forgiveness is such a tricky term.” Olivia smoothed her skirt. “What it actually means is an absence of anger or resentment. Somehow we’ve made it more complicated and decided it puts the onus on someone who’s been hurt to make the person who hurt them feel better or condone what that person did.”
― Khristin Wierman, This Time Could Be Different