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I find comfort in the night Maybe it's because the world is muted Or maybe it's because even though it's dark, I feel some sort of warm light For once, the air doesn't feel so polluted The night is for the people who have so much to say, but no one to tell The people who feel alone surrounded by a group The ones who feel trapped in their own hell The night is like a break from the same gut- wrenching loop I lay there under the moonlight Listening to what the universe has to say And somehow I know that for now everything is going to be alright And I pray that the moon will never have to go away Somehow It's easier to breathe And although the hurt doesn't go away, I can sit with it For once It feels safe to be at ease However, it does bring some sadness I must admit Eventually the sun will come back out My problems will flood back in And I won't be able to escape all the people who love to shout As the next day must begin

Sometimes, I was too scared to face a new day. I didn't know what was waiting for me. The future is unpredictable, and I feared that something worse might come, something so bad that I wouldn't be able to recover from it. Maybe that's why, my whole life, I've been careful with every decision. I was scared of being judged. I was scared of being seen as a failure. I was scared of becoming all the bad things people said. Because of this, I didn't live my life to the fullest. I was too scared of people's expectations. I tried my whole life to be seen as a good person, to be perfect. Without realizing it, I broke inside. I lost myself. I spent countless nights lying awake, questioning every choice I made, replaying conversations and interactions in my head, fearing I had said or done the wrong thing. I became a prisoner to my own fear. I pushed people away, afraid they would see the cracks in myself. I smiled and pretended everything was fine, but inside, I was falling apart. I was so busy trying to be perfect for everyone else that I forgot who I was, all because I was too scared to be myself.

I used to worry about my future. A little bit too much I would say. A lot of "what ifs" kept replaying in my head. What if I couldn't finish my study? What if I couldn't get first class? What if I couldn't find any job after I graduate? What if I can't pay off my student loans? What if I end up in a job I don't like? What if I disappoint my parents? What if I never figure out what I really want to do with my life? I was constantly worried about taking the wrong step that will end up ruining everything that I have built. Until someone told me that life doesn't have to follow a perfect plan. We each have our own path, our own timeline. And that's okay. It's okay if things don't go exactly as we imagined. It's okay if our life doesn't look like what we thought it would. I started to see that the pressure I was putting on myself was unnecessary. So, I began to let go of the "what ifs." I stopped trying to control every detail and started trusting that things would fall into place. And they did, maybe not in the way I planned, but in a way that was right for me. Because life isn't a race, and it's not about hitting every milestone at the right time. It's about finding our own way, even if it's a little messy or takes longer than we expected.

Life was getting hectic for me. A little too much, actually. I thought I could survive it. I believed that a little chaos might finally distract me from the endless spiral of thoughts that kept me awake at night. But I was mistaken. As the days passed, I realized I was being consumed by the very chaos I thought would help me. I pushed myself beyond my limits, convincing myself I was doing fine, even as the pressure mounted. But then, in the quiet of the night, the tears came back. I thought life would get easier. I thought I had figured things out. But the truth is, I'm not sure if I ever really did. The harder I tried to hold everything together, the more it slipped through my fingers. And now, I wonder if I was ever meant to find peace, or if I've just lost hope along the way. I used to believe that things would get better, that I just needed to hold on a little longer. But now, all I see are the shadows of what could have been, and I can't help but feel that I'm losing the fight. The one that maybe, I've already lost it.

I love to stare at the moon. Every time I look at it, I can't help but be amazed at how it brightens the dark night. It hangs in the sky, distant yet always there, silently watching over everything below. I love how it looks so pretty from far away, yet when seen up close, it's full of craters and marks. Perhaps I love the moon because it reminds me to keep shining, to keep going even when people forget to appreciate me. Like the moon, I want to be a light in the dark, always there and shining despite the hardships I face. I want to be like the moon, who doesn't let its flaws and weaknesses stop it from shining brightly. The moon's way of being beautiful despite its scars reminds me that beauty and pain often go together. It shows me that it's possible to carry wounds and still shine brightly. For me, the moon is like a friend who offers silent comfort and understanding. Just like the moon who's always shines brightly, even when people often forget to look up and appreciate its beauty, I too want to keep shining without needing people's approval.

Growing up as someone who rarely shared their problems, I found myself struggling with giving comfort to others. I often kept my feelings to myself, which made it hard for me to understand how to be there for others when they needed it. I could be a good listener, but when it came to responding, I am not. I was always afraid that my words might even make things worse. I was the worst at giving comfort. When someone cried in front of me, my mind would go blank. I tried to find the right words to comfort them, but I couldn't find one. When someone shares their problems, I will keep saying "It will be okay" or "I'm here for you," and I knew they weren't enough. I wanted to be the one they could turn to, the one who could make things better, but I didn't know how.

Everyone wears a mask that hides their true feelings. You wouldn't know what they are going through until they tell you. There are so many people who seem very cheerful on the outside, with big, genuine smiles. But if you look closely, their eyes tell a different story. There's a hidden sadness and silent struggles. It's like seeing a beautiful painting from a distance, colorful and full of life. But as you get closer, you notice the cracks and faded colors that once were bright. Their laughter might sound like a happy song, but behind it lies unheard cries and unspoken words. We often forget that behind the smiles, there's a heart that might be aching. We forget that everyone is fighting their own battles.

When I was a child, I always thought that my life would turn out perfectly, just as I wanted it to be. Working at my dream job, living in my dream house, and marrying my celebrity crush. It's funny how innocent kids can be. We dream so big, believing that anything is possible. As we grow up, reality sets in. The job we want might not be the job we get. The dream house may stay just a dream. And our celebrity crush is living a life far from ours. Slowly, those dreams start to fade, replaced by the needs of everyday life. Adult responsibilities. We eventually decide to let go of our childhood dreams and slowly settle for what is possible rather than what we once imagined. It's quite painful, actually. But that's okay. We may not get the job we wanted, but we might find a career that makes us happy in unexpected ways. We may not live in a mansion with a library and a pool, but we can create a home filled with love and laughter. And we may not marry our celebrity crush, but we might find a partner who supports and cherishes us in ways we never imagined. In the end, it's okay not to achieve every dream we had as kids. We can find new dreams that fit who we are now.

When you feel like giving up, remember about how far you've come. Think about the progress you've made and the challenges you've overcome. You might not be in your greatest moment now, but still, you are creating your moment. You don't have to be perfect or have everything figured out. It's okay to not always be at your best or if you made a mistake. It's what teaches us how to be better. You should stop being too hard on yourself. Cherish yourself. Celebrate your successes, even the smallest ones. That's how you will have the strength to take another step in your life. You will be the person you're meant to be. You will be somewhere where you want to be. You will be someone that you are most proud of. Until then, please, don't lose hope.

Sometimes, I find myself complaining so much that I forget to appreciate the simple blessings in my life. I forget how lucky I am to wake up in the morning with a healthy body. I forget to appreciate the freedom to walk around in the fresh air. I forget to be thankful that I've never had to suffer from prolonged hunger, even when I'm not doing well financially. I forget to appreciate the comfort of my bed, where I can lie down after a long, rough day. I forget to appreciate the simple joys, like enjoying a book with a cup of coffee on a lazy day. There's so much to be grateful for, yet I often find myself comparing my life to others, feeling as though I am lacking. I took it for granted, not realizing that many people would give anything to have what I do.

I love being alone. I could do whatever I want without worrying about what others think about it. I can blast my favorite songs and sing along at the top of my lungs. I can lie around in my pajamas all day without having to worry about people judging me for being such a lazy person. I don't have to put on any masks or pretend to be someone I'm not. I can be as loud or as quiet as I want. But sometimes, being alone also makes me realize how lonely I am. I enjoy my alone time, but there are moments when the silence feels heavy. I start to miss having someone to share my experiences with, someone to talk to and laugh with. I start to wonder how it feels to have someone who you can turn to whenever life is hard? I forgot how it feels to have someone who would listen to my rough day. Sometimes, being alone makes me realize how lonely I am.

It really hurts when you've given so much of yourself, only for it to be taken for granted. You keep trying to be kind, hoping that maybe, just maybe, they will finally notice your efforts. But they never realize it. And when you finally decide to stop, when you just can't keep giving anymore, suddenly you're the bad guy. They call you selfish simply because you can't keep sacrificing your well- being for people who don't seem to care. It's a tough pill to swallow, realizing that your kindness was never really appreciated. It's hard to understand why people treat you this way, especially when all you wanted was to be good to them. You've sacrificed yourself enough. Let them be. You can't let others define your worth. It's okay to set boundaries, to say no, and to take care of yourself. Be kind, but also protect your heart. You deserve to be treated with the same love and respect you give to others.

They said I changed a lot, that I'm no longer the version they used to know. I mean, even I no longer know who I am. I don't know what I want to do or who I want to be. I can barely remember the old me. I used to have dreams and ambitions, but now everything feels blurry. The confidence I had before is gone. I keep doubting myself and every decision I make. I wonder if I'll ever feel sure of myself again, if I'll ever find that spark I used to have. Change happens, I guess. But this change feels like losing myself bit by bit.

I kept asking myself, if I had made a different choice back then, how would my life be? Would I be on a completely different path? I wonder if I would regret it as much as I do now. If I had chosen another path, would I be free from the burden of regret that weighs heavily on my heart today? Would I have fewer regrets and worries about what I should have done? I find myself wondering if I should have listened to other people's advice instead of following my own feelings. If I had trusted in the wisdom of those who came before me, would I find myself in a different place today? I questioned my choice so much that I forgot that everything happens for the best. "What's meant for you will never miss you, and what missed you was never meant for you."

If you don't have anything better to say, then don't say anything at all. If you feel that your words will hurt others, then keep them to yourself. You don't always need to speak your mind out. Sometimes, choosing silence is the better option. Words hold immense power. They could cut deeper than any blade, leaving lasting scars on others. Sometimes, our words unknowingly become the reason for someone's self-harm or feelings of insecurity. Our words could tormenting others without us realizing. Even if we forget what we've said, our words may continue to haunt others, replaying in their minds forever. The damage caused by thoughtless words cannot always be undone with a simple sorry. Our words could comfort others. But it also could hurt them. Speak words that you would want to hear.

I was afraid to voice out my struggle. I was scared to share my problems. I felt like I wasn't struggling enough to complain about my life. "Just wait until you're out there in the real world, then you'll understand what real stress is like," they say. They're right. But do they know the weight of uncertainty that clouds my days? Do they see the sleepless nights, worrying about how my future will be? Why can't I talk about my problems? Why can't I express the messiness of my life? This grown-up world, it was my first time and I'm scared. My struggles aren't whispers, they're screams in the silence. Just because they've been through it doesn't mean it's easy for me. I was struggling.

You care so deeply for others that you fail to notice your own wounds. When was the last time you took a moment to appreciate yourself? When was the last time you thanked yourself for not giving up? When was the last time you hugged yourself? When was the last time you genuinely embraced who you are? When was the last time you allowed yourself to cry without feeling like a loser? When was the last time you treated yourself to a nice meal? You care about people so much that you abandon yourself. Too much that you didn't realize your hands were bleeding from holding on to them. Too much that you didn't realize they were throwing rocks at you, yet you accept it with open hands. Too much that you didn't realize how they left scars on you. Yet, you were saying sorry for not being pleasant to their eyes. You care too much that you forgot, you too are worthy of love.