Bad habits
The Beauty in the Bruises
Some wounds don’t bleed they bruise. Quietly. Deeply. You carry them in the way your smile falters at the edge. In the way you hesitate before trusting. In the way you shrink, just a little, when someone gets too close. I used to think healing meant hiding those bruises, pretending they weren’t there. But now I know: sometimes the most beautiful parts of us are born in the aftermath not in spite of the pain, but because of it. There was a time I felt like a stranger in my own skin. Every morning, I woke up heavy, carrying yesterday’s sorrow into today. My smiles were borrowedmore a habit than a feeling. I laughed, but the sound rarely reached my eyes. People told me I was strong, but they never saw the battles raging beneath my calm exterior. The loudest pain, I learned, is often the one that doesn’t make a sound. It was on my birthday a day meant for celebration that something shifted inside me. I was scrolling through a bookstore app, numbing myself with distractions, when I stumbled upon three journals by Nina Madsen on sale. Ninety-nine cents each. I bought them without thinking. Or maybe I did think maybe it was hope in disguise. The first journal prompt stopped me cold: “How might a painting of your life look?” I stared at the blank page, unsure. Then, an image came slowly to life: a girl holding her head, surrounded by bruised blues, purples, and blacks. The background was a storm of pinks and blacks. Behind her, a phoenix rose streaks of gold and silver breaking through the darkness. That girl was me. For the first time, I didn’t try to erase the mess. I sat with it. I honored it. That painting wasn’t tragic it was true. It was survival in color. Each prompt pulled more from me words I’d buried, truths I’d swallowed. I wrote not as a writer, but as someone learning to breathe again. The journal became my confessional, my sanctuary. The page never judged me. It held space when the world didn’t. I wrote about how I treat others with softness now, not because I’ve never known cruelty but because I have. I know what it’s like to feel invisible, forgotten, alone. I promised myself I would never let another person feel that way if I could help it. There’s a line from a song by HONESTAV that echoes in my mind: "And I don’t want no new friends, my heart’s still got bruises."
By Wilfredabout a year ago in Confessions
I Ignored Every Red Flag — Until It Was Too Late
When I first met him, he seemed perfect. Kind, funny, ambitious — everything I thought I was looking for. We met through a mutual friend at a party, and I remember how his eyes lit up when he talked about his goals. I was drawn in instantly. It felt like the universe had finally sent someone just for me.
By MR REDabout a year ago in Confessions
The Intricate Web of Deception
Deception, in its myriad forms, is an undeniable facet of human interaction. While we often aspire to honesty, the reality is that all individuals engage in untruths, whether consciously or unconsciously. Curiously, even as words are crafted to mislead, our physiology, through the subtle cues of body language, frequently threatens to betray the spoken falsehood. This apparent paradox raises a compelling question: why would evolutionary pressures favor such a seemingly self-defeating mechanism? The answer, complex and multifaceted, is woven into the very reasons we resort to deception. Understanding the motivations behind our lies and the distinct forms they take is crucial to navigating the intricate dynamics of human relationships and societal structures.
By LaMarion Zieglerabout a year ago in Confessions
The Driving Test
Introduction This is an example story for my "Sunshine After The Rain Challenge" that you can find here: One of the things I have noticed about my backup account is I get a lot less comments than I do on my main accounts, as well as, seemingly a lot less reads. One story has five comments and one read, but I suppose, in reality, it is early days, and hopefully, I can let this fade into the background when my main account is restored.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred - EBAabout a year ago in Confessions
We Stopped Talking… But I Still Wait for His Text. AI-Generated.
It’s been 47 days since we last spoke. I remember the number clearly, not because I try to—but because my heart does. Every morning, I wake up and check my phone. I know it’s silly. I know he won’t text. But I still look. Every single day.
By Nouman waliabout a year ago in Confessions
📖 "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment"
Author: Eckhart Tolle Genre: Self-help, Mindfulness, Personal Development 🌟 Why this book? "The Power of Now" is one of the most powerful and practical books for developing both mental focus and inner confidence. While it’s rooted in mindfulness and spirituality, its core lessons are highly applicable to daily life, especially if you struggle with distractions, fear, or self-doubt.
By Muhammad Huzaifaabout a year ago in Confessions
Centrifugal Juicer vs Cold Press Juicer: Which is Right For You?
Trying to choose between a centrifugal juicer and a cold press juicer? You’re not alone. A centrifugal juicer works fast. A cold press juicer works slow but keeps more nutrients. One saves time. The other gives you better juice.
By Imran.Bin.Iliasabout a year ago in Confessions
"She Woke Up Alone"
The first thing she noticed was the cold. It wasn’t the kind of cold that made her shiver or pull up a blanket. It was a still, unnatural cold—like the air in the room hadn’t moved in years. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, revealing a pale ceiling with unfamiliar cracks. A dim, flickering light buzzed somewhere above, casting long shadows on the peeling wallpaper.
By muhammad khalilabout a year ago in Confessions
Please Don’t Hand Me Electronics: A Cautionary Tale
I am not to be trusted with expensive technology. It’s not that I hate it. I like gadgets! I admire sleek design and shiny buttons. But the moment something costs more than a toaster, my hands go full panic mode. I suddenly hold everything like it’s a newborn made of glass.
By Kim Murrayabout a year ago in Confessions
Wife has an affair with me for 3 years and fairly recent.
I’ve been married (M39)for 11 years to my wife (F35) who brought 2 daughters into this world during our marriage. Late 2019, she left her full time job so she could be a stay at home mom while I continued to work full time. In 2021, my wife was on her phone a lot due to doing online surveys and chatting with her friends online/phone calls. She was on her social media account and made a comment on a post I’ve made earlier in the day. One of my former high school friend made a response comment to her comment and she saw I was friends with him. Several weeks gone by and my former high school friend made a ‘friend request’ to her. Mind you, she doesn’t add people that doesn’t know. She asked me about my former classmate and how do I know him. I talked about him and she decided to add him. Fast forward to early 2022, They exchanged numbers and they kept chatting until end of 2024.
By sagar dhitalabout a year ago in Confessions
Living With A Girl I Just Met Raw. AI-Generated.
Sometimes life throws you into situations that feel like a plot twist in a romance movie—or maybe even a reality show. Living with a girl I just met raw isn’t your average love story. It’s messy, impulsive, thrilling, and emotionally charged. But it’s real. This isn’t about scripts or polished love letters; it’s about discovering what happens when two people skip the formalities and dive straight into cohabitation. If you've found yourself googling living with a girl I just met raw, chances are you're either living this reality or flirting with the idea. Either way, you're not alone.
By YUVRAJ2 years ago in Confessions
