Alone in the CrowdOne of many

I'm sure that for most of the people that read this, this is a familiar feeling. Walking in a crowd, like a bar or a festival, among many people both strangers and familiars, but still feeling utterly alone.

Disconnected.

But the weirdest thing is that I even know it's not them who don't connect. It's me. While I reach out, seeking contact, I hold back the most intense, beautiful pieces of myself. I only show what I feel is safe to show. What people won't find too weird or too strange.

Disconnected.

How can I expect them to connect with me if I don't let them?