Portgas D. Sara (they/them)
Bio
nonbinary human who sometimes writes (and is always trying to be more consistent about writing). most likely lots of attempts at poetry, and even more ramblings about anime/nerdy things.
Stories (14/0)
Bloody Valentine
Rei looked down at the stained carpet and the man lying in the center of the mess. He felt the anger leaving his body, as if it had died along with the man on the ground; his only gift to the world. Normally, Rei was quick about his work, but this time was different. He had taken his time, and had waited to make sure the job was done. The biggest irony was that this hadn’t even been a contracted job for him – he did it of his own volition. And that had all been because of you.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)12 months ago in Fiction
The Weird and Wonderful World of TikTok
It was September of 2020. I was miserable with my current job (but you'll have that when you get hired during the height of a pandemic and are left to your own devices when it comes to things like training and preparedness), and I was BORED.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)about a year ago in Humans
My Pappy, My Hero
2017 was one of the worst years of my life. It started with me reeling from the losses of one of my paternal uncles and my paternal grandfather, who had passed four weeks apart in November and December. Throughout the year I left an unhealthy relationship and moved into an apartment I couldn't afford because I was working at a daycare and making $12 an hour. I was getting calls from collections agencies because I couldn't make credit card payments. My bank account was overdrafted on a weekly basis just from trying to pay my bills. Needless to say, it was taking a huge toll on me.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)4 years ago in Families
(Realistic) Self-Care for Mental Health Workers
**Many of these tips are probably applicable to lots of other fields. However, I only have experience with mental health jobs, so that's why my focus is there. We all need to take care of ourselves!**
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)4 years ago in Longevity
When Writing Feels Like a Chore
Ever since I signed up for Vocal (back in 2018, I think), it has been my goal to write more. It's always been a huge passion of mine, and to get paid for writing about whatever I want?! It couldn't get more perfect.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)4 years ago in Motivation
How Paramore's "Last Hope" Helped Me Heal
TRIGGER WARNING: sexual assault. I have loved Paramore for every moment of their existence. I grew up listening to lots of female pop stars, but it was largely unheard of for a woman to front a band - let alone a band that played Warped Tour. Hayley Williams became an instant inspiration for me, someone who has always secretly wanted to be in a band and play music for a living. Her personality, wisdom, genuineness, and style were all things I admired from the very beginning. I feel as though I've grown up through and with Paramore; each of their albums came out at a time in my life where I needed guidance from a woman who wasn't my mom. I spent so many days dancing around my room and singing into a hairbrush along with All We Know is Falling and Riot!. I used to pretend to put on concerts, and I'd serenade all of the posters covering my walls. In those moments, I channeled teenaged Hayley. I envisioned myself with brightly dyed hair and dramatic makeup, jumping around on a stage. Brand New Eyes was released my senior year, and it was a time when I needed direction. I was very much a misguided ghost, like the song with the same name.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)4 years ago in Beat
How Quitting Caffeine Changed Everything
For all of my adult life, I've been addicted to one thing and one thing only: caffeine. Though I was never a coffee drinker, I found my crutch in Coca-Cola. In my mind, it was normal to drink Coke daily —I grew up with a mom addicted to Diet Coke, who got headaches if she went too long without one. As I got older, I found myself becoming more and more dependent on my daily caffeine.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)5 years ago in Longevity
- Top Story - December 2018
How Cutting My Hair Off Set Me FreeTop Story - December 2018
"I'm just not attracted to girls with short hair." This is something that my (now ex) boyfriend said to me during an argument once. I'd just caught him cheating on me and that was his apparent excuse for doing so.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)5 years ago in Viva
How Do You Know When You Know?
"When you know, you just know!" It's what every elderly person and married couple tells their single relatives or friends about finding true love. No matter what the circumstances of someone finding their partner were, they all claim to have "just known" they'd found their person.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)5 years ago in Humans
'After Laughter': The End of an Era
Last week, Paramore played the last show of the After Laughter era. I've had a lot of thoughts and feelings about this era and about Paramore as a whole, so bear with me while I ramble about one of my favorite bands of all time.
By Portgas D. Sara (they/them)6 years ago in Beat
