"Less friends, less bullsh**"

The speaker opens with a personal philosophy that when things aren't adding up in life, subtraction — removing people or circumstances — becomes necessary for growth. They describe growing up in a household filled with unpredictability and tension, likening the environment to 'landmines' where screaming or physical altercations could erupt at any moment.

The speaker candidly acknowledges that as a young person, they lacked the language to express themselves emotionally, which manifested as intense rage fits. They trace this behavior directly to their father, who similarly lacked emotional intelligence because it was never taught to him — suggesting a generational pattern of suppressed emotional expression.

In the second part of the reflection, the speaker emphasizes personal accountability, noting that growth required honest self-examination rather than solely blaming others. They advocate for keeping a small circle, referencing their recurring phrase 'less friends, less [bullsh**].' Notably, in this particular instance, the subtraction involved family rather than friends. Despite the pain of that decision, the speaker frames the outcome positively, crediting it with leading to meaningful self-discovery and a newfound comfort in their own skin.