people don't talk about it enough, but losing the essence of who you once were is amongst the worst side effects of depression.

did it hurt?

when you realised how lonely you are despite never really being alone; when the company you kept did little to fill the void inside; when you tried but failed to find a remedy for your sorrowed soul

not everyone has the privilege of self awareness and consequently, active personal growth, so be kind unto others and understand that eye openers may work better if delivered gently.

i came across this saying the other day,

"expectation is resentment in the making"

and it really stuck with me because if you think about it, the untold pedestals and goals we set in our heads for other people are not their responsibility and yet when someone flies below the standard we've set for them, we identify these moments as 'shortcomings'.

i don't know who needs to hear this, but sometimes, you're better off without closure. you need to come to terms with how you felt and heal from that before you consider taking in the other party's reasoning for it.

there's beauty in inconsistency, it's beautiful not knowing what to expect nor when to expect it sometimes.

the amount of love and effort you pour into relationships should also apply to friendships. do not take people for granted just because they aren't your romantic interest.

put a finger down if you crave academic validation because as a child the only time you got showered with praise by your parents was when you scored exceptionally on a test, so now you chase that closest-to-love feeling at every turn.

*tucks in thumb*

you know it's funny, words can really make or break relationships but silence does far greater damage than words ever could.

We spend our lives chasing labels. I think we yearn for explanations. Or perhaps we’re looking for excuses. Not only answering to society but also giving solace to our own minds; to feel like we belong.

love is all consuming, but so is pain – maybe that's why they're often mistaken for each other. don't let the wrong kind of love numb you to all consuming pain. don't let old pain keep you from experiencing all consuming love.

self-love is so incredibly important, in moments of darkness where not even your shadow follows, you really need yourself to be your biggest supporter. so take great care and appreciate yourself more than anybody else.

peace of mind is worth a million times more than baseless friendships that costs you your mental health so don't be afraid to burn those bridges and cut those ties.

nothing is more pestering than the idea of a chance you didn't take, so try everything. you have nothing to lose and possibly more to gain.