A Quiet Cup of Coffee and a Bit of Bloody Peace

Describe one habit that brings you joy. There’s a very specific moment in my day that brings me genuine, uncomplicated joy: the first brew of the morning, in complete silence. Not the half-distracted, slurp it between WhatsApp pings kind. I’m talking about the sit down, don’t speak to me, no phone, just leave me be […]

I Broke the Real Tradition: Silence

What traditions have you not kept that your parents had? They passed down a few things, sure – a roast dinner on Sundays, perfectly folded laundry, and a deep, loyal commitment to never acknowledging a single emotional need. Some people inherit heirlooms. I inherited a legacy of be quiet and get on with it. The […]

The Real Soundtrack of My Workday: Noise, Doubt, and 80s Bangers

What do you listen to while you work? Sure, I’ve got Spotify on in the background now and then. Sometimes I stick on a playlist and pretend it’s helping, but really I’m just staring at the screen thinking about lunch. More often than not, it’s Heart 80s on the radio, safe, reliable, and occasionally interrupted […]

Just Feed Me and Don’t Ask Questions

What foods would you like to make? Honestly? I’d love to make whatever the hell I don’t have to think about. As a child, I took food for granted. Meals just appeared, whether it was fish fingers and beans or a weird casserole that looked truly disgusting. It didn’t matter. It was there. I didn’t […]

Better. Not Bitter.

What do you think gets better with age? Me. Not my back, not my eyesight, and definitely not my tolerance for bullshit, because that’s completely vanished. But my sense of self? My standards? My ability to spot red flags without needing to see the entire parade? Elite. With age, you stop bending yourself into shapes […]

Looking Forward, Finally.

What are you most excited about for the future? It’s not about chasing some picture perfect life anymore. It’s knowing that I’m finally moving away from the things that used to keep me stuck, old patterns, old habits, the quiet ways I used to betray myself just to feel safe or accepted. I’m excited to […]

Music is my therapist. My escape. My main character moment.

What is your favorite genre of music? Might sound cliché, but music’s basically my therapist. No appointments, no awkward eye contact, just a steady companion that doesn’t judge me for crying in the car or dancing like an unmedicated lunatic while hoovering. It’s always on. When I’m working, cooking, showering, gardening, or trying to pretend […]

What’s My Definition of Romantic? Not This Crap, for a Start.

What’s your definition of romantic? It’s not a man holding up a fish. It’s not a topless mirror selfie with “just ask” or “fill in later” in the bio. And it’s definitely not the bare minimum dressed up as emotional depth. I don’t remember participating in a national poll where we all agreed carp was […]

Gratitude Without The Glitter

How do you express your gratitude? I don’t light candles to thank the universe. I’m into the universe, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think it needs constant applause. I don’t do affirmations. And I definitely don’t whisper sweet nothings to my dinner before eating it. You know what I do? I say thanks […]

Trying to Outrun the Blueprint

What are you most worried about for the future? Honestly? That I’ll spend the next 40 years exactly like the last 40, shrinking myself to fit into spaces that were never made for me. That I’ll never get out of the 9–5 grind, selling my soul in exchange for a wage that lines someone else’s […]