I stare into the mirror. In an instant all of it comes flooding forward. The things that I love deeply about myself — the curves of my smile, the brightness in my eyes, the warmth that I showcase with a quick hello. The things that I have been through – the darkest moments where I have felt invisible, unworthy and insignificant. The strengths that I embody, the talents that I showcase, the failures that I have sulked over. All of it becomes apparent with the gaze I take towar

Being on your own is not just about finding other things to fill in that “empty void” but focusing on yourself more and discovering who you are as a person. There is so much freedom in being on your own and doing what you enjoy so take advantage of that, hold onto that feeling and most of all – enjoy it.

As you ponder forward on how the people, like chapters, have crossed before you, joined you on adventures and left imprints on how you see the surface and the depths of your identity, consider the following: who has at all costs, worked alongside you, wiped your tears and helped you see the brightness when it all felt dark?