Grief over leaving home settled like a quiet fog around me. What to do when you feel sad? I reached for the plushie with the floppy scarf on my coffee table. Holding her felt like a soft, gentle hug, just enough to remind me that I was allowed to feel homesick, but not trapped by…

If you don’t try at anything, you can’t fail… it takes back bone to lead the life you want…moving abroad struggles. Months passed. Hundreds applications, and still no replies. Each “no” felt heavier than the last. It wasn’t just rejection, it was the quiet doubt that followed. The kind that makes you question if you…

After a rough breakup, I felt empty, like a bell pepper with the top cut out. Friends tried to cheer me up, but talking was too hard. I reached for my soft orange keychain, squeezed it and let tears fall. In that unjudged moment, I felt a spark: tears could wash out pain and leave…

I doodled a tiny character late one sleepless night, imagining someone who looked like me, quiet, sad, but hopeful. On a whim, I emailed that sketch off as a design idea. Weeks later, I received a photo: they said that they will consider making it real. Knowing my simple drawing might comfort others gave me…

I was six pages deep into notes, heart pounding so loudly I could barely think. Finals week had me convinced I’d freeze on the first question. Then I remembered the little green dinosaur peeking from my pocket. I pressed his soft belly. In that instant, my shoulders relaxed, my breath steadied and I realised I…