Nolite Te Bastardes Corborundorum

I grew up thinking that in order to live a happy life, I had to get good grades and go to a prestigious university and get a highly paid job. But as I grew older I began to realise that in order to life a happy life, I had to choose it for myself and not live a life that others expect of me, whether it be your parents, teachers or friends. This is your life. I made a decision that I didn’t want to be successful and live in a big house with fancy cars in the drive. So, I packed my bags and got out of this little town that had suffocated me for the last 18 years and drank coffee in small shops in Germany, chased the Horizon in Australia, woke up with a mountain view in Singapore. How beautiful is it to know that your feet have walked the grounds of many different countries and your skin has felt the air of many busy cities. Please darling, do not get lost in society’s belief that you are only successful if you have a well paid job, like I once had. As humans, we are going to die, that is one thing we are guaranteed in life. What will you care about the most while lying on your death bed, your fancy cars, big house? Or the stories and experience you have encountered on the journey of this beautiful thing called life? So there’s one thing I ask of you: please travel. Whether you’re 21 or 49. It is never too early nor too late so see the beautiful world.

What really kills me is that no one is obligated to love me back. There are people that I would cross every ocean for, give up everything I have for, and that doesn’t make them obligated to love me back . But it’s not a reason to stop loving people. It’s not a reason to become cold. Some days all I can do is swallow the pain, and hope they know they’ll always be loved.

“You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place. Like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you’ll never be this way ever again.”

Because when I was 13 years old, I was sent home for my tank top straps being a little too thin, but a boy could wear a Cool Story babe, Go Make Me A Sandwich shirt and not be looked at twice. Because when I was 17 and I told a guy “No” and the next day the word tease was painted on my locker. Because when I was 18 and just wanted to be friends, I was a bitch. Because I feel the need to say “I have a boyfriend” instead of “No” because guys respect other men more than they would ever respect me. Because society screams “don’t get raped” instead of “don’t rape” Because I am scared to walk alone at 10 PM Because being beautiful is the most important thing I’ll ever do. Because when I wear my favorite skirt “I’m asking for it” Because the song Blurred Lines exists Because no means no no matter how you fucking spin it Because a girl was drugged and raped with a beer bottle, and the boys who did it are out on bail. Because I owe you nothing Because pepper spray is a gift I receive yearly. Because I am asked if I have a boyfriend more than I am asked about my mental health Because my clothes say more about my consent then my mouth does. Because the wage gap exists Because “not all men are like that” is said way too often ENOUGH ARE Because I feel the need to say “I’m not a feminist but…” Because I’m writing this fucking piece

Accept the fact that you will grow apart from people you’ve had significant relationships with. Understand when someone no longer positively affects your life. Let them go. Don’t hinder your growth.

Being haunted by desire of authenticity I take stealthy photos sometimes. I am interested to know how people read when they think nobody’s looking. The world surely does not exist for them at that moment.

You have yet to learn that the most radical, most important thing you will do in your life will be to let them go. All of them. Every single one. Every thing that brings you pain. All the people, the words, the music, the places; all the love.