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 […]
The Becoming
Save Tonight: A Farewell By The Sea
It had been a while since I had seen him. We grew up together, and I didn’t realize how influential he was in my life until I started going through my own valley of death and didn’t feel as protected as I thought I would be. I felt alone. It […]
Living Authentically: A Millennial Perspective on Choices and Freedom
I’ve always found it fascinating how different people handle societal expectations For example, Erin, who embraces a polyamorous lifestyle, and I were talking about his decision to get married and have children. I couldn’t help but wonder why he would choose to go a traditional path when he truly wanted […]
A Night at the Bar with My Biggest Regret
Sitting at the bar, I had no idea why I decided to meet him. Yet here I was, waiting for him. I shouldn’t be here, I thought, rubbing the strap of my leather bag as anxiety crept in. Just as I contemplated leaving, he swaggered in—tall, bearded, and tattooed, all […]
What Does It Mean To Be Happy?
When I first walked into therapy, I was at one of the lowest points in my life. Everything had fallen apart, and I wasn’t living the life I had imagined. I was lost, hopeless, and alone, facing the darkest chapter I had ever experienced. As I sat in the therapist’s […]
The Beauty Of Solitude
I listened to the rain falling against the window. The silence it brought was comforting, offering a moment of quiet reflection that I hadn’t had in a long time. I didn’t have anything to do, no one to see, and I was caught up on everything. I could just relax. […]
4 of the Best pieces of Advice I Ever Received
I logged into Facebook as part of my daily scrolling, and a memory popped up: “‘I love you’ has 8 letters, so does bullshit.” I couldn’t help but cringe at my attempt to be edgy. I’m sure I picked that up from some random Tumblr post and thought it was […]
Vintessa Unfiltered: Escaping Reality with a Feel-Good Romcom
Photo From Variety Magazine Welcome to a new segment on the blog called Vintessa Unfiltered—a space where I share whatever’s on my mind at the moment. Today, my Aunt Flo decided to visit, and it threw me into a bit of a tailspin. I usually try to keep my mood […]
After the Facade is Gone: Reality Has Finally Set In
One thing about me is that when it comes to relationships and dating, I often get lost in the fantasy. I’m a passionate, all-encompassing lover, but once that spell is broken, I start losing interest. That’s exactly what’s happening with Erin—and I knew it would from day one. I kept […]
11 things I’ve Learned During My Healing Arc
For the past four years, I’ve been on a journey of self-improvement. From breaking bad habits to facing my inner darkness, it’s been an intense experience—one I hope I won’t need to revisit. Today, I can confidently say I’m in a good place, both with myself and the world around […]