Category: personal essay

  • The Space Between The Matrix And Independence

    The Space Between The Matrix And Independence

    There was a version of myself I kept meticulously folded, tucked away behind the expectations of others, obscured by the calm of their certainties. This quiet suppression began subtly in childhood. I recall, at five years old, a moment of mischievous delight in a bustling shopping mall, relishing the frantic attention of my parents as…

  • What I Learned During A Power Outage

    What I Learned During A Power Outage

    Candles and battery-operated lights are still extremely valuable! How did people once live like this? No lights or hot water. Trying to cook must have taken hours! No electronics of any kind. Can you imagine waiting to hear from someone, but there were no phones? Or just trying to walk into the next room. Quickly…

  • A Short Letter To You

    A Short Letter To You

    Some places are reminders of so many moments; they remind us of so many things. Hidden are hundreds of memories in a single place. Isn’t it a beautiful thing how a single place can remind us of so much?! Isn’t it amazing how a single place can hold so much?! Furthermore, if the place is…

  • Holiday Season – Why I Am Switching Off 

    Holiday Season – Why I Am Switching Off 

    Everyone craves time off to slow down, to have those perfectly curated, sweet, cozy morning routines portrayed on one of the many reels calculated by my Instagram and TikTok algorithm. It is presented with such ease, through a luscious spread of food, an assortment of coffee, and a very specific plan related to the gym,…

  • Who Am I Without Yearning For You

    Who Am I Without Yearning For You

    I do crave a kiss. For a forehead kiss. For a forehead man’s kiss. And I know loving you was a bliss, because I don’t feel as happy and as good as when you were by my side. I crave for someone who wishes me a good night before sleeping and someone who holds me…

  • In My Anti-People Pleasing Era

    In My Anti-People Pleasing Era

    When I first saw that this publication was looking for writers to contribute their work, I immediately thought: “How can I add something of value to this magazine and its readers?” Each of us, regardless of what it is we aspire to become in life, all want to do something that makes each morning worth…

  • Chronically Ill And Fabulous

    Chronically Ill And Fabulous

    Being chronically ill can feel like a full-time job. The doctors are rude to you. They have to Google what is wrong with you, it is considered that rare! The doctor admits they get 15 minutes of training on your condition. So, no, they are not very aware of anything you deal with! On top…

  • Bernadette’s Story, Part 2: Living, Loving, and Learning to Trust

    Bernadette’s Story, Part 2: Living, Loving, and Learning to Trust

    Bernadette was by no means a perfect dog, but she was the perfect dog for me. She could be unpredictable, aggressive, and would bite you if you tried to touch her feet. But she loved me unconditionally with her whole being. She followed me like a shadow and cuddled near me when I was sad…

  • Bernadette’s Story, Part 1: Meeting The Mongrel

    Bernadette’s Story, Part 1: Meeting The Mongrel

    The staff at the animal shelter looked at me like I was crazy when I told them I wanted to adopt Bernadette. I had been volunteering there for a few months and had become fond of this “high-risk” dog, despite all her growling and snarling. However, I feared, due to her behavior and long stay,…

  • Only Human

    Only Human

    Here is a definition of Only: “On-ly: and no one or nothing more besides.” If we follow this definition of “only” to its logical conclusion, “only human” could be an oxymoron, kind of like Progressive Conservative or Artificial Intelligence.  But then it is easy to play with the meaning of words, much like a potter…