Bad habits
Chapter VII: The Ontology of Silence
From every corner of experience quiet, in its variations, is the sound of existence itself, the sound of absence. Silence has varied qualities. Think about the silence of dawn in the woods where the light of day pierces the top of the trees each moment like God holding its breath a split second longer; unmistakably old silence vibrating with memories of a forming world. Or, consider the silence of the city at sleep, thick with human noise, its asphalt heating up from the day's activity, not yet dissipated, a whole inhabited unconscious simmering like neurons firing in synchronization. Or, think about the silence before storm, a stretch, poised like a bow-and-arrow, the sound of silence true, always an inevitability; and, then there is the silence after-storm the world emerged as if it was hollowed out from a gutting, shaken pure everything is deemed newborn
By LUCCIAN LAYTHabout a year ago in Confessions
Mother’s Bed Becomes Refuge After Daughter’s Shocking Escape
In a quiet suburban home on a chilly March evening in 2025, an intimate moment between a couple took an unexpected turn, transforming a night of passion into a scene of familial support and startling revelations. The couple, caught in the throes of lovemaking, found their rhythm interrupted by the sound of keys jangling at the front door. Moments later, a distressed cry of “Mum?!?!” pierced the air as Susie, the 24-year-old daughter of Kathy, burst into the bedroom, soaked and trembling from the rain.
By KWAO LEARNER WINFREDabout a year ago in Confessions
Goodbye, Atomic Habits
I used to be a poster child for better habits. Back in the day, James Clear’s Atomic Habits sat enthroned on my nightstand. I was also the proud owner of a habit tracker, where I religiously logged my daily habits — sleep, yoga, reading, etc. And as if that wasn’t enough, the first article I published was about habits.
By Savorgastronomyabout a year ago in Confessions
The Garden of Your Soul:
Imagine your soul as a garden. It is vast, wild, and full of potential. Some parts are lush and blooming, while others are overgrown with weeds or barren from neglect. But here’s the beautiful truth: you are the gardener. You hold the tools to nurture, shape, and transform this sacred space into something breathtaking. This is your journey; a gentle, intentional path to tending the garden of your soul. Through self-discovery, you’ll learn to cultivate what matters most and create a life that blooms with beauty and purpose. Let’s take a look at the steps:
By Yasmine Lagrasabout a year ago in Confessions
Why Doing More Is Making Us Less Successful?
Remember the good old days when productivity just meant finishing your homework before dinner? Now, it’s all about multitasking, time-blocking, and squeezing 25 hours out of a 24 hour day. The most surprising thing is that in our quest to do more, we often end up feeling like we have achieved very less.
By Adarsh Kumar Singhabout a year ago in Confessions
How to Identify an A**hole(Before they Ruin Your Life)
A-holes don’t always reveal themselves right away. In fact, some are incredibly likable at first. They know how to charm, manipulate, and play the role of a decent person until it no longer benefits them.
By Beyond The Surfaceabout a year ago in Confessions
Can Neoliberalism & Feminism Intertwine?
You may have seen neoliberal feminism at work in the business world if you hadn't previously. You've heard, maybe, something about "defeating stereotypes" or "feminine leadership" being strategies for making women achieve their "unfulfilled potential." Women need to empower themselves most of all, as claimed by supporters of the movement. Differences are believed to stem from individual, and not institutional, factors. To better assist you with an understanding of the promises made by neoliberal feminism. Being a feminist has turned into a source of pride and cultural capital for film and music stars. The word has become ubiquitous on social media and the mainstream media.
By Hridya Sharmaabout a year ago in Confessions
Busting the Biological Clock Myth: Empowering Women’s Choices
The most well-thought-out advice provided to women of this generation seems to be, "Have a baby when you are ready to raise one." But nobody discusses how to get there. One has to prepare for pregnancy only when one is ready financially, emotionally, and physically, as feminist discourses remind us. But due to your "ticking biological clock," this has to be done in a hurry. There was always pressure on women to bear children.
By Hridya Sharma2 years ago in Confessions
The Shift from Friendship to Love
For years, Mia had convinced herself that what she felt for Jake was simply friendship. They had been inseparable since their college days, their bond strengthened by shared secrets, late-night talks, and endless adventures together. They were the perfect pair, and their friendship was something Mia treasured deeply. But as time passed, something began to shift. Lately, she found herself noticing the little things about him. The way his smile lit up his face when he saw her, how his voice softened whenever he spoke her name, and how her heart raced whenever he casually placed a hand on her shoulder. Mia tried to brush it off, telling herself that it was nothing more than the affection that comes with close friendship. But deep down, she knew that what she was feeling for Jake was something more. Realization Comes in Unexpected Moments It all became clear on an ordinary evening. The two of them were sitting in their favorite coffee shop, the scent of freshly brewed espresso filling the air as Jake rambled on about sports—though Mia wasn’t really listening. Her attention was entirely on him. She watched his fingers absently tap against the table, the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed. There was something magnetic about him, something that drew her in every time he was near. And then, unexpectedly, Jake looked up, catching her gaze. His eyes narrowed playfully. “What?” Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Jake smirked, leaning closer. “You’re staring.” Mia’s face flushed bright red, and she quickly looked down at her coffee cup. “No, I wasn’t!” she protested, but the way her heart raced betrayed her. “You totally were,” Jake teased, his smile widening. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she realized it was time. She couldn’t keep pretending anymore. The Moment Everything Changed Taking a deep breath, Mia decided to do something she had never done before—be honest. “Jake,” she started, her fingers nervously twisting her coffee cup, “have you ever thought about us… being more than friends?” For a moment, Jake’s playful expression faded, replaced by a softness that made Mia’s stomach flutter. “More than friends?” he asked, his tone suddenly serious. She nodded, not able to meet his gaze. Jake exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair as if searching for the right words. “Mia, I’ve been thinking about that for years,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Mia’s heart stopped. “You have?” He chuckled nervously. “Of course. But I never said anything because I didn’t want to lose what we have.” Mia smiled, feeling a mix of relief and joy wash over her. “Me too.” The Power of a Confession There was a silence between them—long, but not awkward. Instead, it was filled with the weight of everything they had never said. Finally, Jake reached across the table, his fingers gently brushing against hers. “So, what now?” he asked softly, his voice filled with hope. Mia smiled, her heart full as she intertwined their fingers. “I think we stop holding back.” Jake’s eyes sparkled, a grin tugging at his lips. “Does that mean we’re officially more than friends now?” he teased. Mia squeezed his hand. “I guess it does.” As they stood up and walked together through the quiet city streets, their hands clasped tightly, Mia realized something. All the years of uncertainty, of fear, had led to this moment. Their friendship had always been the foundation, but now, it was becoming something deeper, something more beautiful than she ever expected. Taking a Leap of Faith By the time they reached Mia’s doorstep, the weight of the confession had settled into a sense of ease. The tension between them had disappeared, replaced by something new—something exciting. Their friendship had always been the best part of their lives, but now, they had crossed into something even more precious. “Are you ready for this?” Jake asked as he stood at her door, their fingers still entwined. Mia smiled, her heart overflowing with happiness. “Yes. I think we’re ready.” And as she stepped into his arms for the first time, Mia knew that sometimes, the best love stories don’t start with sparks or fireworks. They start with a friendship, and they grow into something lasting, something real. For Mia and Jake, it had taken years to reach this point. But in the end, it was worth every second.
By SHAKIB2 years ago in Confessions
Finally Said"
For years, Ethan had carried a secret buried deep within him—one he never dared to voice. It wasn’t out of fear of rejection but rather the uncertainty of what would happen if he spoke the words aloud. Would everything change? Would he lose the one person who meant the most to him? That person was Claire. She had been his best friend since childhood, the one constant in his ever-changing life. They had shared everything—dreams, fears, and even heartbreaks—but Ethan had kept one truth to himself: he was in love with her. Moments That Reveal More Than Words There were times when he thought maybe she knew. The way she would smile at him just a little longer than necessary, the way her eyes softened when he spoke, or how she always reached for his hand when she was nervous. But he had convinced himself that he was reading too much into it. It wasn’t just the small gestures that made Ethan question his feelings; it was the way his heart raced when she was near, how every laugh they shared seemed to be more meaningful, and the way his world felt complete when she was in it. Still, he didn’t say anything. Fear of losing their friendship kept him silent, keeping his feelings locked away deep inside. The Night That Changed Everything Then, one evening, everything changed. They were sitting by the lake, their favorite spot, under a blanket of stars. The water shimmered in the moonlight, and Claire was lost in her own thoughts, talking about her future. Ethan, however, was focused on something else—how beautiful she looked in the soft light, how her voice seemed to resonate with a warmth that made him feel at home. He couldn’t keep the words inside anymore. “Ethan?” Claire’s voice broke through his thoughts. “You’re quiet.” He hesitated. This was the moment. The one he had feared and longed for at the same time. Ethan took a deep breath, summoning all the courage he had. “I have something to tell you,” he whispered, unsure of what to expect. The Heart Can’t Stay Silent Forever Claire tilted her head, her curiosity evident. “What is it?” Ethan’s heart pounded in his chest as he gathered his thoughts. This was it—the confession he had kept hidden for years. “I—I think I’ve loved you for a long time,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. The world seemed to hold its breath. Claire sat in silence, and for a moment, Ethan thought he had ruined everything. But then, a soft laugh escaped her lips, shaky and unsure. “I was waiting for you to say that,” she murmured, her voice full of warmth. Ethan’s eyes widened. “You knew?” Claire smiled, looking down at her hands. “I think I’ve known for a while. And the truth is…” She met his gaze, her eyes steady. “I feel the same way.” The Power of a Confession Joy, relief, and disbelief washed over Ethan in a flood. He had imagined this moment countless times, but nothing could have prepared him for how sweet it would feel to finally hear her words. Claire reached for his hand, her fingers warm and comforting. “Why did we wait so long?” Ethan chuckled nervously, still overwhelmed by the confession. “I was scared. Scared of losing what we have.” She squeezed his hand gently. “We’re not losing anything. We’re just… starting something new.” Under the stars, with their hands intertwined, Ethan finally understood that confessions weren’t about changing everything—they were about letting the truth be free. And sometimes, the truth led to something even more beautiful than he had ever imagined.
By SHAKIB2 years ago in Confessions
The Words We Never Said
Lena and Ryan had been best friends for as long as they could remember. From childhood adventures to teenage secrets, they had built a bond that seemed unbreakable. Their late-night conversations stretched until dawn, their inside jokes were endless, and they understood each other in ways no one else could. But hidden beneath all those shared moments was a truth they both carried silently—one neither dared to say aloud. Lena loved Ryan. And Ryan loved Lena. Yet, year after year, they kept their feelings locked away, fearing that one wrong word could shatter their perfect friendship. Signs That Couldn’t Be Ignored There were moments when the truth nearly slipped out. The way Ryan’s hand lingered a little too long when he helped Lena up. The way her heartbeat quickened whenever he laughed at one of her jokes. The way they looked at each other when they thought the other wasn’t watching. Their friends noticed it. Even strangers sometimes mistook them for a couple. But they? They remained trapped in their own silence. Ryan often caught himself staring at Lena when she wasn’t looking, memorizing the way she absentmindedly twirled her hair or bit her lip when she was deep in thought. And Lena? She found herself replaying every little touch, every accidental brush of hands, every moment that made her heart race. But neither of them spoke. Neither of them took the risk. Until one night changed everything. A Confession Under the Stars It was a chilly evening, and they were sitting on the rooftop of Ryan’s apartment—their usual spot for deep conversations. The city lights flickered below, but all Lena could focus on was the weight of the words she had never spoken. She glanced at Ryan, who was gazing at the sky, his expression unreadable. “Ryan,” she said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. He turned to her, his blue eyes filled with quiet curiosity. “Yeah?” She hesitated, fingers gripping the edge of her sweater. “Have you ever… wanted to say something but were too scared?” Ryan exhaled, a small smile playing on his lips. “Every day.” Lena’s heart pounded. “Like what?” He looked at her for a long moment, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Then, with a deep breath, he finally said it. “I love you, Lena.” The world seemed to stop. The city noise faded, the cold breeze disappeared, and all that remained was the weight of his words settling into her heart. When Silence No Longer Holds Us Back Tears pricked at Lena’s eyes—not out of sadness, but out of relief. She had spent so long wondering, waiting, hoping. And now, the truth was finally out. She let out a breathy laugh. “Took you long enough.” Ryan blinked. “Wait… you knew?” She nodded, wiping a tear away. “I’ve always known. And I’ve always felt the same way.” A slow, relieved smile spread across Ryan’s face before he laughed—a real, heartfelt laugh that sent warmth through Lena’s chest. He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. “So… what now?” Lena squeezed his hand. “Now, we stop pretending.” Love That Was Always Meant to Be As they sat beneath the endless sky, no longer burdened by unsaid words, they realized something: Confessions don’t ruin friendships. They reveal what was always meant to be. The tension that had once held them back melted away, replaced by something new, something freeing. Ryan brushed a strand of hair from Lena’s face, his touch lingering just a little longer than before. “I can’t believe we wasted so much time.” Lena smiled, leaning into him. “Better late than never.” And as he pulled her close, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, they both knew—this was only the beginning of their love story.
By SHAKIB2 years ago in Confessions
