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 […]
The Becoming
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 […]
The Surprise Hidden in Two Little Lines
This year hadn’t been easy for Henrietta. First, she and her forever partner broke up, and though it was a difficult decision, it had happened before her birthday. Then, on her birthday, they had a brief hookup. Since that night, there had been nothing but dead silence between them. To […]
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 […]
Polyamory, Interrupted Pt 3
He didn’t call or text that night to apologize. Smart man. By the next day, I had simmered down. But, of course, there wouldn’t be a post here if he didn’t message me. Erin reached out, cutting straight to the chase: “Just let me know if this is working for […]
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 […]
Polyamory, Interrupted Pt 2
A week has passed since Erin and I broke up. How am I? Overall, I’m good. By day two, my phone was silent, and I considered texting him. But what would I even say? Instead, I decided to focus on what I could do now that I had some time […]
Polyamory, Interrupted Pt 1
“I just don’t know if this is everything I want,” Erin said in a defeated tone. We had been arguing for about two weeks now. It all started because he was helping me with a project and knew someone who could assist. I was excited and reached out, but while […]
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, […]