Compassion

Each of us are simultaneously inside a niche group of our specific trials, and part of a larger group of everyone who knows what it means to suffer.

Broken Dreams

"When we hope for something, we believe in the goodness of that thing. And when that goodness is proven to be false, it hurts. "

The Chronic Part Of A Chronic Illness

For four months before my diagnosis, my family and I didn't know why I was "passing out" several times a day, a nightmare by anyone's standards. Friends and neighbors would reach out in support, their eyes glistening with sympathy and concern. I usually responded with a smile and cheerful comment about everything being okay. I had …

A Hard Thing

I can feel myself sweating, I resist the urge to fan myself with my hands and push my lungs to keep breathing. It's probably not visible, but I can feel that I'm shaking. I chant encouraging words to myself as I think back on all that I've done in my life. Somehow this seems harder, …

Potential

The day that I decided I wanted to be a professional makeup artist was a funny day. I don’t remember exactly what I was doing, probably washing dishes or doing homework. I wasn’t focused on my task but instead trying to predict what would happen if I changed something slightly about the way I applied …

Island Of Empty Stomachs

There's an island off the coast of self-loathing, right next to Florida. It goes by many names: Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, Purging Disorder. It doesn't matter too much what you call it. It's a bit of a freak show, the carnies crawl around, leaving clumps of broken hair wherever they go. They'll come up to …

The Questions Everyone Is Afraid To Ask

In late May of 2018, I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. I chose to keep quiet about it because I was still learning what that meant for my life, both at the current moment and for the remaining time I have. Now that this has been announced on social media, I have been flooded …

Fall

Walking into a home where candles have been burning for a few hours. Rich burgundy curtains hinting at quiet evenings. More hazy skies to sleep under. Roads turned into mirrors after constant rain. Thinking that brown has never looked better. Curling up under an army of mismatched blankets. Tightening bleached fingers around a warm drink. …

Stop Saying “They”

I'm sure they didn't mean anything. I don't think they knew. They are just ignorant. They always say that. They are so dumb. They are tearing this nation apart. They are less than us. When addressing a group separate from yourself, how do you define that group? By gender, race, age, personality trait, number of …

She Betta Be Doin Somthin, Y’know?

Parking sucks, am I right? Especially here in Everett. That's why I am always about an hour early to class, gotta catch a spot. A classmate of mine is also often there early. Naturally, we have started talking and he eloquently expressed a sentiment I didn't want to accept as part of society. The conversation …