Donald Glover Gets Really Personal on Instagram, Reveals Why He Left 'Community'

Ever since it was announced that Donald Glover would return for only five episodes of Community's upcoming season, there's been a lot of speculation over the reasons for why he would leave the show that made him a star. Was he leaving to focus on his rap career as Childish Gambino? He had been mysteriously absent from social media — was he sick?

In August, it was reported that Glover's next project would be an FX series based on his life, and just last week, we learned that the Childish Gambino album, Because the Internet, would be released around "winter break."

On Monday, Glover posted a series of photos on his Instagram account, with each picture showing a different note written on a piece of Residence Inn stationary. Over the course of those notes, Glover touches on many of his fears — his parents dying, being alone, that Dan Harmon may hate him — and reveals that he left Community because he "wanted to be on my own."

I'm afraid of the future. I'm afraid my parents won't live long enough to see my kids. I'm afraid my show will fail. I'm scared my girl will get pregnant at not the exact time we want. I'm scared I'll never reach my potential. I'm afraid she's still in love w/ that dude.

I feel like I'm letting everyone down. I'm afraid people hate who I really am. I'm afraid I hate who I really am. I'm scared people will find out what I masturbate to. I'm afraid I'm here for nothing. I feel that this will feel pretentious. 

I'm scared I'll never grow out of Bro Rape. I'm afraid people think I hate my race. I'm afraid people think I hate women. I hate people can say anything. I hate caring what people think. I'm afraid there's someone better for you or me. 

I'm afraid this is all an accident. I'm scared I'll be Tyrese. I'm afraid Dan Harmon hates me. I'm scared I won't know anything ever again. I'm scared I never knew anything. I'm afraid I'll regret this. I'm afraid this doesn't matter at all. 

I didn't leave Community to rap. I don't wanna rap. I wanted to be on my own. I've been sick this year. I've seen a bunch of people die this year. This is the first I've felt helpless. But I'm not on that. Kept looking something to be in with. Follow someone's blueprint. But you have to be on your own. 

The label doesn't want me to release in December cause it's not a holiday record and I'm not a big artist. Christmas always made me feel lonely, but it helped me restart the new year. I want people to (listen) to this album when everything's closed. When everything slows down and quiet. So you can start over. 

I got really lost last year. But I can't be lonely tho. Cause we're all here. We're all stuck here. I wanted to make something that says, no matter how bad you fuck up, or mistakes you've made during the year, your life, your eternity, you're always allowed to be better. You're always allowed to grow up. If you want.

Wow, that's quite the manifesto there. I've always thought that Glover is extremely talented, and I'm looking forward to whatever he does next. Here's hoping everything works out for him.