CW: Therapy, depression, Do you know the point in every romantic comedy when the main character hits rock bottom? They sit in sweatpants, wallowing in their sadness, eating junk food as they cry. For the past few years, I have been a few inches from rock bottom. I started counseling last year to develop better ...

Void – to be withoutThe lack thereofNot validNothing of value Constant reminders thatYour hair should be bone straightVoid of its waves, kinks and curls You are fooled into thinkingThat your body should be leanWith your collar bones protruding That your curves are too lewd, nasty or sexyYour breasts are taunting, tantalizingly or crudeYour lips too ...

I walked through blackness lately. Holding out my arms, forever searching for hope, only to realize that hope is not solid but as free as the air. It shows itself through a crack in the dark—a glow that grows when worry and doubt combine. You cannot have hope alone but in combination with adversity. As ...

This is not my city—it isn’t my world. I can’t remember how long it’s been since my first assignment. Fugitives are my business, and I’m very good at hunting them. I never fail a mission. Unfortunately, my latest conquest took me here to a world of excess and instant gratification. This world is the perfect ...

Every year, people think about what their New Year’s resolution is going to be for the coming year. Going into 2021, rather than making the typical resolutions or goals, start small and reframe what you are asking of yourself. Reflecting on the main important areas of your life, and choosing one thing to do differently ...

Forgiveness Day is observed on June 26th each year. Typically, forgiveness is thought to be an action that you give to someone else — someone who has hurt you or wronged you in some way. However, there is a more empowering form of forgiveness: as a gift you give yourself. While this type of forgiveness ...

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3| Part 4 **Content Warning:** This story contains references and allusions to the abuse of vulnerable populations, such as those with disabilities, LGBTQA+, and children of abusive parents, and may contain content that some may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. I lull in and out of consciousness ...

There are days I’ll sign into Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. – almost every social media platform and take a good look at what other people are doing. Every picture I’ll stumble across is beautiful. The subject, the person, the environment is breathtaking, and it’s stunning. I’ll read their posts, and they all seem so happy, ...