Do you ever feel like parts of yourself are welcome in the world, while others must stay hidden?

I was reminded of this recently at my son’s birthday party. He wanted to see KPop Demon Hunters in the theater. Honestly, I went reluctantly—animated movies aren’t usually my thing. But as I sat there, popcorn in hand, I realized the story was striking at something I see every day in my clinical practice: the struggle to love our whole selves.

The main character, Rumi, is half demon and half hunter. To be accepted as a hunter, she hides her demon parts—her marks, her secrets, her vulnerabilities. She focuses only on what the world tells her is “good.” Her adoptive mother warns her: “People won’t love your demon part.”

That tension felt achingly familiar.

In our culture, we’re taught to fight hard for the parts of ourselves society values: Be smart, be beautiful, be hardworking, be honest. But what about the parts that feel less than? The moments of grief,

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