The realization that you’ve been giving yourself the absolute bare minimum is a hard one. You get so caught up in your day-to-day life that it’s easy to believe you’re fine, that everything is good, and that you’re happy. It’s not until you take a step back that you realize—maybe […]
Letters From Vintessa
Overcoming Depression and Embracing Self-Love: My Journey
When I was diagnosed with depression and a slew of other mental disorders, it was honestly exhausting. Doctors had me rehashing my life, trying to figure out what was wrong with me and why I am the way I am. I started to believe that something was inherently wrong with […]
A Blank Page, A Fresh Start: My Story Continues
The morning after our fight, I sat on the balcony, wrapped in my favorite blanket, cradling a cup of coffee that had already gone cold. The squirrels were busy, rustling through the dead leaves on the ground below, their chatter filling the crisp air. My mind, however, was quieter than […]
How Anger Became My Greatest Teacher
We tend to have the misconception that anger is a bad emotion—something we need to control and repress to find peace. In actuality, anger is the umbrella that covers many emotions. Sometimes anger manifests when we are sad, uncomfortable, feeling helpless, embarrassed, or dealing with something else entirely. The key […]
From Walls to Welcome: Letting Him Into My Home
When I enter a relationship—any relationship, for that matter—I categorize people. Either they’re just for fun and will last three months or less, they’re potential for a real, long-term connection, or they’re simply filling a spot and keeping me occupied when I have nothing else going on. I know that […]
The Art Of Not Caring About What Others Think and How To Start Living Authentically
Growing up, I heard a lot of, “What would ___ think?” or “You don’t want people thinking you’re ___.” It was like these invisible judges were constantly watching my every move. So, naturally, I became obsessed with what others thought about me. I tried to blend in, not make waves, […]
Book Recommendations for Creativity, Tranquil Living, and Self-Love
Books have always been a sanctuary for me—a place where I can escape, reflect, and be inspired. In my journey toward a more tranquil and self-loving life, I’ve turned to books that speak to creativity, mindfulness, and embracing the self. I’ve made a conscious effort to read works by Black […]
I’m Done With All These Ads! – Here’s How I’m Consuming Less
Okay, real talk: I’m so tired of opening TikTok and being hit with ad after ad, scrolling through my feed only to see “must-haves” from TikTok Shop that I don’t even want. Somehow, I go in to check out funny videos, and suddenly, I’m deep-diving into reviews of a blender […]
Recognizing the Signs of a Life Transition: When the Shift Begins
Have you ever had a moment where things feel slightly off? Not in a bad way, but like you’re standing at the edge of something new, uncertain of what’s next but knowing things won’t stay the same? That subtle hum, the nudge in the back of your mind—it’s the universe […]
Book Review: Educated By Tara Westover
Tara Westover’s Educated is a powerful memoir that left me deeply moved. It chronicles her journey from growing up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, isolated from mainstream society and formal education, to eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University. The book explores themes of identity, the transformative power […]