It seems to me like the less I am cut off from myself, including the parts of myself I don't like or feel ashamed about, the more I am able to connect with others. This doesn't mean I'm vulnerable with everybody all the time, just that I'm not already holding something back, I don't have to be as cautious. Especially since the things I don't like and try not to think about, usually don't look quite so bad when I actually take a look at them.