Gilbert added that she decided to reveal the truth about her same-sex romantic relationship because she wanted to stop pretending.

“Pretending is demeaning,” she said. “It makes you weak and confused… [and] I need to live my life in truth and transparency, even more than I need privacy, or good publicity, or prudence, or other people’s approval or understanding, or just about anything else.”

In response to her confession, she asked her fans and followers for nothing more than their love.

“Whatever extra love you might be carrying around in your hearts right now, could you direct some this way? I would appreciate it so much, and — trust me — it will be felt. And it will help.

“We will resonate with it, and we will thank you for it. Because truth is the force that guides us to where we need to be in life, but love is the power that heals us once we arrive there.”

You can read her full Facebook post below:

Eat Pray Love author pens beautiful essay on the moment she fell in love with her best friend