There's a particular kind of conflict experience that almost no one chooses but many people recognize. The argument is happening, you can see their face moving, you can hear their words, and something in you has already left the room. Your mind goes blank. The words you wanted to say are unreachable. Later, often hours later, you'll think of all the things you could have said. In the moment, there was nothing.

There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from never quite being able to land. The body is technically at rest, but the system underneath is still working. Sitting on the couch, but listening for the front door. Falling asleep, but catching on a noise from outside and waking up scanning. Nothing dramatic is happening. The body just won't stop watching.