Check mate
Life is like chess. We often forget that protecting ones self comes with checks and balances. There are times that you have to be checked and others where there is a checkmate. Let your pawns disappear. Allow your Rook, Knight, and Bishop to be captured. Finally allow your King/ Queen to be open to what is in front of you. It is okay to let the wall down. Stop trying to protect what was supposed to be vulnerable to learn the lesson in the first place. Your protection right now is NOT NEEDED.