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doll
“how to disappear while smiling: a childhood survival guide“ “You’re the perfect daughter.”Said with pride.Like a compliment.Like a prophecy. I didn’t question it.I was too busy perfecting the role. Straight A’s. Polite friends.Dance recitals with a smile stuck on like lip gloss.A gold-star girl in a gold-star costume. At first, it felt like love.Later, it…
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drift
“I chased freedom across oceans—and lost pieces of myself along the way“ I left “home” nearly a decade ago.First stop: the capital. I told my mom it was just for my undergrad. She wasn’t thrilled, but she made me promise I’d come back after graduating.(Spoiler: I did not.) The capital was exactly what you’d expect…
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auto-pilot
“when I stopped living and didn’t even notice“ I don’t think I’m falling apart.I’m showering. Twice a day, actually.The water—hot against my skin—is a sensation I register more than feel.I’m brushing my teeth. Replying to emails.Making very ambitious to-do lists that I mostly ignore but still feel oddly proud of. So I must be fine.…
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catalyst
“how saltwater, silence, and a stranger broke the spell“ It was my sister’s birthday celebration. Everyone had checked out. I stayed behind to soak in the quiet. The morning was slow, soft. The sky was bright and clear. I wandered into the breakfast buffet, dining alfresco with the birds. With a satisfied belly and no…