You take screenshots of your favorite text conversations as far back as your phone will allow. You print them out. You put the photos in a box, and you put the box in a place where you don’t have to look at it unless you want to. You delete the original conversations from your phone. Just because you’re not ready to let go, doesn’t mean you have to carry him with you.

You block his number so you can stop staring at your phone 1000 times a day and wonder if you finally crossed his mind. …

Why do people live so close to volcanoes?
Because their soil grows the most beautiful flowers.

Maybe people forget what the volcanoes are capable of, with their consistent churning, just begging to erupt on all that is holy. Maybe people become so enamored of living in the presence of such immaculate potential for growth, that they forget the equally astonishing potential for destruction; they forget their own place among the possible casualties. Maybe, over time, they begin to trust that the volcano would never do anything to harm them.

From a young age, we are taught not to play with…

I have encountered so many amazing people, and twice as many shitty ones. I carry every single one of them with me in the form of lessons learned, or scars inflicted. I’m honestly not sure if I’m better or worse for it, all I know is I am forever changed by our encounter. I am also grateful for the opportunity to learn more about myself and the world, through them. Even on the days when I wish we had never met, I am still aware that if not for them, I wouldn’t be me.

I can’t help but wonder if…