January 30th, 2025,
Hello, Friend,
Please, take the time to read this. Listen to me for one moment. A moment of your time, please. Despite your busy schedule, I promise this will be worthwhile if you disregard the longing and the pathetic mess I worry I convey, even through my writing.

Are you still there?

Now that we can finally speak, I have much to share, pent-up feelings I could never express. It is ridiculous, I think, to feel my nerves tense with each word I write to you, as if, even at this moment, you cannot let me go. The grip of you feeds into every conscious thought, every interaction, every significant moment in my life—I am bound to you by some blood oath I never remembered taking. But we humans all deal with you—one way or another—and it makes me wonder how busy you must be.

Do you move around with us? I make the leap to a new city, eager and ready to explore a world beyond the one I have known without you. But then, you are there. Waiting. First, at the airport. One bag—small and light, but enough to remind me you exist. The second in the car as the towering skyscrapers pass me by. A little package neatly wrapped with a pink bow. That one I cherish most—it reminds me I am human and how I should carry this small amount of you wherever I go. I learned to appreciate it, and I thank you. Until I reach my new apartment, and the bags are no longer covered to shield me from the truth, but now stacked high so I can never forget it. Forget you.

This is only the beginning. The cycle repeats. The days pass and the days turn into weeks and then into months, I slowly throw away the bags, the weight of you slipping off my shoulders each time I do. Such a freeing feeling. But then the moment someone walks out of my life or the moment I question why I am in this new place, another one of your packages shows up at my doorstep. It never mattered where I was in the city. If I was out in a nightclub or a coworker’s house, your presence lingered.

A. Constant. Relentless. Reminder. Of. You!

I can never shed you, can I? I can never convince you to let me free from your grip. These packages constantly remind me how you can whisk me away from my hard-won happiness and security. I will do anything to keep you away—pay, beg, plead—as long as possible. I cannot handle your full presence, the packages are more than enough to remind me a piece of you stays. But if I can only handle these fragments of you, how do you feel? Do you, too, feel your own presence?

I know you do. The ache in your gut whenever you say goodbye to someone you love, the way your heart stops when someone mentions something you did that upset them—I feel it all the time. So, what do we both want? Unity? Acceptance? I fear neither of those are correct, and we shield each other from the truth, if only to make ourselves feel as though we have some purpose in this isolated and repetitive world.

So, tell me, Loneliness, why do we care? Why do you make me care? Writing, watching films, reading—all of those can be done alone. Eating, running, sleeping never require another being to make me feel accomplished. Yet in my bed, late at night, when everyone is gone, and I am left with nothing but the thoughts in my head, that is when you invade my mind the most. I think you feel me, too, since you need to dig into every conscious thought I have. It feels good to know we are not alone in that way. No matter what, you, Loneliness, will always find me, and I will have no choice but to accept you.

And that is okay. Because I know what you feel, so I will embrace you with open arms, because we make each other feel less, well, lonely. But accepting you does not mean surrendering to you. I will walk beside you, acknowledge you, even learn from you—but that is all. And maybe you can learn a thing or two from how I choose to live despite you.

Until I feel you again,
Tatiana Coleman
Style Score: 100%

Dearest darling, my beloved,
You’re the one that I most covet.
For all your strength, you can be sweet,
And nothing else can quite compete.
You’re hot, you’re cool but always smooth.
My wrangled feelings you can soothe,
But you can also energize,
And have, indeed, opened my eyes
In ways impossible without
Your potent aid, I have no doubt.
Sometimes, you have a hint of spice,
And yet, I think, you’re awfully nice.
When we’re together, whilst I sup,
I feel I can just drink you up.
So, coffee, coffee, Valentine,
Fill up my cup and, please, be mine.

Prowritingaid Style Score 100%

To the thing that gives me life, the energy within everything that is. My love for you transcends all dimensions, time, and space. I have always felt love for you, but it took me a while to understand you. Growing up, others taught me that your love was conditional and if I was not obedient, then it would no longer be there, but I never believed that. So instead, I let your love live inside of me until I understood it for myself.
You are the reason for life on Earth and the feelings within my body. Because of you, the wind blows and the sun shines. I can feel sadness while also feeling joy, fear while also feeling courage. You are the reason I feel immense peace when staring at the sky. There are no conditions for your love because you are just that: love. The intensity you carry brings people together; creates life on Earth; brings purpose.
Your love is what we are here to find and connect with. A journey that is made specifically for you. Everything always comes back to you. My heart skips a beat thinking of how intense my love for you is because it is simply all that I am. I long for a greater awareness that your love exists and for those to feel it the way I do, because it is what keeps me going. I will dedicate my entire life to sharing my love for you with those around me. My purpose is to show others they can also feel the same love for you as I do.
Universe, you are the reason I live and I would simply not exist without you. Continue sharing your love with me because it is the best feeling I have ever felt. It is strong enough to move mountains and create miracles, but we must accept it. My greatest accomplishment is letting you into my heart, and you will forever be there with me. I love you Universe.
(100% style score)

Dear Coffee,

I just had to tell you how much I love you. I’m so glad you’re a part of my life. Every day, I Wake up just knowing we will be together. You smell so good to me. How you do it, I’ll never know. My lips can’t wait for you to be against them. Your taste is so luscious for me. I can’t get enough of you. Your Aroma fills my room, and it makes me want you even more.

You, baby, are the best I’ve ever had. When I wake up in the mornings, I love knowing you’re there for me, willing and ready to fill feel my every desire. You make my heart skip a beat. Your bold, robust taste is attractive. You are my heart’s delight. I love it when we go out together early in the morning, just before sunrise. I caress you gently against my lips. As the sun rises. As I look down at you, all hot and steamy. And all I can think about is how good my day is going to be. I think about you all day and can never get you off my mind. You’re the one for me. There is no other. I will meet you later at the coffee shop. Until then, your favorite set of lips.

I love you today tomorrow and forever yours truly, coffee girl

STYLE SCORE 100%

To my fear of inadequacy,

As much as I appreciate the opportunities you have provided me, I think it’s time for me to move on and seek prospects elsewhere. I believe that the departure allows me to provide feedback in a closing interview of sorts. No need to drag this out; I’ll give the information here. 

Though beneficial, our shared time witnessed rising disrespect. I cannot place all the blame on your side, however, because I did not address the issues as they arose. I sat back and watched as things escalated beyond my control. However, there were multiple times I attempted to speak up on my behalf, especially when tactics of humiliation started being used. It is not productive to instill anxiety and self-doubts into someone as they are focusing on improvement. Instead of being listened to and validated, the all-knowing fear of inadequacy decided the best approach was to gaslight me and make me feel unsure of my own thoughts. 

Through reflection and therapy sessions, I can now accept that the decision lies with me. Previously, self-doubt masked my inner resilience and self-belief. I’ve turned a page; this ends now. Thank you for the lessons I have learned and for providing me with challenges and obstacles that helped me reach that internal strength. I apologize if this letter has come across as rude or disrespectful. I might have been emotional.

In closing, accept this as my letter of resignation. Using the two-week notice doesn’t seem necessary here, and I’m confident you’ll agree. We shall consider this a clean break and go our separate ways. You needn’t worry about reference requests. Good luck.

Regards,

Me

Style score: 100%

Dear Abandonment,

You’re a relentless shadow that hangs over me, creating the suffocating anxiety that tightens its grip around my heart, a heavy weight on my chest, a constant reminder of past wounds and fears that refuse to fade. The ache in my stomach, the knot in my throat – they’re all echoes of your painful influence. You’re weaving self-sabotage into the scars of my heart.

I find myself trapped in a tug-of-war with my own thoughts. I’m caught between the desire for love and comfort and the fear of being hurt once more. Your icy embrace has created a barrier around my heart, an isolated fortress. Sadly, in doing so, you’ve robbed me of the chance to truly connect, to feel the warmth of genuine affection without the shadow of doubt looming overhead.

As I look back on the events that shaped me, I can’t help but wonder if you cursed me to fall under your control from the very beginning. Your grasp clouded my teenage years, which should’ve been filled with laughter and lightness, restricting my movements and limiting my desire to reach out. Was it a crime to love too deeply, too soon? To find comfort in those appearing caring, yet experience betrayal and cruelty.

I long to break free from the chains you’ve wrapped around me. I want to remove the layers of protection that have become a prison of my making. The walls of your fortress, built with bitter bricks of past traumas and heartaches, stand as a hurtful reminder of the pain you’ve insured in me. However, I refuse to be held captive any longer.

I beg you, Abandonment, let me go. Set me free from the constriction of your insufferable chamber. Unburdened by fear, I need space to breathe and move forward. I’m ready to move forward without fear, to face the unknown with open arms, and to leave behind the shadows of the past.
Please, I beg of you, let me go.

Sincerely, Amber Gonzales

(Pro Writing Aid Style Score: 100%)

When we have to depart from each other, it leaves me with an ache of longing to be in your presence just a bit longer.

I enjoy feeling your grip take hold of me as the flames of desire seem to burn stronger.

All the places I’ve been to, things I’ve done, and faces I’ve seen. I couldn’t have experienced it all on my own, so thank you for assisting in allowing that for me.

My time with you has involved a whirlwind of events and emotions that I may not always understand, fear, or willingly wish to face.

Regardless of those moments, I feel completely safe when I find myself wrapped in your powerful embrace.

You have become my drug that my body craves….my addiction that I can’t shake. After leaving from our time together…my body feels refreshed, rejuvenated, and awake.

I find myself missing you as I carry on throughout my day. Sometimes I find myself in a state of frustration at the fact that I can’t be with you when I want to because my impatience makes it difficult having to wait.

Although I know that I will see you again within hours of having to tell you goodbye. That timeframe, for me, is excruciating, to say the least, because you are never very far from my mind.

Of all that your presence brings me, the 2 most powerful are the sense of euphoria and the blissfully calming peace.

The only thing that I hope you know and will never forget is that I always have, I always do, and I always will… absolutely, undeniably, unconditionally love you My precious sleep.

(47% Style Score)

Dear Fear of Choosing the Wrong Line,

It happens again at the grocery store.

I’m clutching a carton of oat milk in one hand, a bag of frozen dumplings in the other, my grip tightening as I scan the checkout lanes. To my left, an elderly woman shuffles through her purse with trembling fingers, her face tightening in frustration as she fumbles for exact change. To my right, a father wrestles a squirming toddler, his voice strained but patient as she thrashes against his chest, a box of fruit snacks clutched defiantly in her tiny hands.

My breath catches. Which one? Which line will move faster? I start to step right but hesitate—just for a second, just long enough for someone else to slide into place ahead of me. Guess the choice is made. I stay left, watching as the other line glides forward, the father and child already arriving at the exit—I haven’t even gotten to set my items on the conveyor belt.

A familiar weight settles in my chest, the bitter taste of regret pooling at the back of my throat. Another wrong choice. Another small failure. Another reminder that hesitation costs me.

And maybe, in a different life, I’d shrug this off. Maybe I’d tell myself it’s just a few extra minutes, a trivial miscalculation. But it’s not just about the line, is it?

It never is. It’s about every decision that has ever pressed itself against my ribs, every moment where I wavered just long enough for life to choose for me.

I think of college—of the nights I sat in front of two screens, one filled with logic gates and algorithms, the other with half-finished stories that ached to be written. I had once dreamed of creating worlds, of spinning constellations from ink, of giving breath to characters who could carry humanity to the stars. But I went with the safer path, the one lined with job security and predictable outcomes. Computer science made sense. It was structured, logical, clear.

But at night, when the world is quiet and my laptop hums softly in the dark, I sometimes open a blank document and wonder—wonder if I had silenced something inside me that was never meant to be quiet. Wonder if I have spent years optimizing for safety at the expense of the parts of me that made life feel electric.

I think of love—the first one, the one I stayed with too long, trying to solder together something that had already melted through my fingers. I believed love was supposed to be work, that if I just held on tight enough, it wouldn’t slip away. And then the second—the one I let go too soon, mistaking fear for wisdom, mistaking silence for strength. Sometimes, in my dreams, I hear his voice like an echo in a hollow room, feel the phantom weight of his hand in mine. And I wonder: Had I been too careful? Too measured? Too unwilling to risk the messiness of the unknown?

And the dog.

The one I always meant to bring home. I pictured him curled at my feet, warm and steady, an anchor on the loneliest nights. I told myself I just needed a little more stability, a little more time. But time didn’t wait. And when I was finally ready, my body wasn’t. An allergy I never knew I had slammed the door shut, and I was left staring at a future that could never be. I think about that version of myself sometimes—the one who didn’t hesitate, who just reached out and chose life over practicality. And I wonder if she is happier.

Regret is a heavy thing to carry. But fear is heavier.

The cashier hands me my receipt, and I step out into the cold air, tucking my chin into my coat. Across the parking lot, the father is still there, kneeling beside the open car door, his daughter bundled in pink, her tiny hands gripping his sleeve. She’s no longer fighting him. She presses her face into his jacket, soothed not by explanations or reasoning, but by presence. By the simple, unshaken certainty that he is here, that he chose to be here.

And I wish that were enough for me.

I wish I could believe that it doesn’t matter what line I pick, that life is not a sequence of optimized moves, but rather a series of moments—some beautiful, some aching, all irretrievable. I wish I could embrace the waiting, trust the slowness, surrender to the unknown without needing to solve for the best outcome.

But I’m afraid. Afraid that the minutes do matter. Afraid that the wrong choices add up, that they calcify into a life that is less than it could have been. Afraid that there is a right path, just out of reach, and I will spend my life missing it by inches.

Afraid that I will wake up one day and realize I have built a life that is safe but small. Afraid that I will look back and see the moments where I should have leapt, should have loved, should have risked, should have chosen more.
The fear does not disappear. And maybe it never will.

But today, I step forward anyway. Still calculating, still unsure, still afraid. But moving.

And maybe, for now, that’s enough.
Yours still, but trying,
Me.

Style score: 80%

Dear Pregnancy,
This has been the most intense nine months of my life. I have never grown so much as a person so quickly. From my body, to my relationships, all the way to the way my mind works, you have taught me so much about myself. I won’t lie there has been times when I’ve seriously not liked you, but at the end of this long journey I’ve never been more grateful for an experience more than this one.
At first you were quite a head rush. Everything about you seemed exciting. I told everyone about you. Every person in my life was excited for me. In my mind, I had always wanted this. There was nothing that could break my happy high. I started planning as soon as you arrived. Some could even say I got a little ahead of myself with how quickly I moved as soon as I found out.
Then suddenly there was all the bad. The sickness all day every day. The hatred for all the foods I once loved. The sleepless nights of insomnia. The absolute shame I felt looking into the mirror. The amount of friends I lost. Last but certainly not least, the dread of feeling like there was no way in the world I could ever be a mother.
Slowly but surely, you taught me the reverse of all these things. Like how the sickness was my body starting the creation of my little boy. The fact that losing my favorite foods meant temporarily enjoying all the weird and fun cravings. Even some things I never liked at all! All the sleepless nights made me be so much more appreciative of my rest and how important it is for me, because before I took my rest for granted. I also have a beautiful new outlook on my body image because of you. I grew a whole human! Do you know how insane that is to wrap your head around? I may have a tummy and definitely no thigh gap, but I have the most wonderful little man in the entire world. I also learned that some friends are meant to be left in the past. There are some who are behind closed doors super fake and are not deserving of my love and devotion. There are also some who I had to let go because they were not healthy for me and I would have never seen that without you. Lastly, I was so scared of being a mom. I did not think I had what it takes to be one. Maybe I don’t, but now I know that there’s nothing in the world I would not do for this little guy. I have learned that I am going to make so so so many mistakes and that sometimes my belief in myself is going to shake. That’s okay. This will make me stronger and will help me grow and learn so I can do better for him.
So I guess I’m just trying to say thank you. Thank you for all the bad that I did not understand was all the good. Thank you for teaching me to grow as a person. Thank you for pushing me to learn so much about myself. Thank you for seeking out my genuine friends. Thank you for making my relationship with my partner blossom in new ways I didn’t know to be possible. Most importantly, thank you for my little boy who I can’t wait to watch grow, and learn, and love. Thank you.
Our time seemed long while it was here. When in reality it was quite short. I look forward to visiting you in the future again. I cannot wait to see what else you will teach me then.
Love always,
A first time mom……
(Style Score- 62%)

“We are going on vacation.” He says to me with a look of seriousness that tells me he isn’t making the statement to appease me, for the moment, until my stress disipates and I later forget.
“We are going to Jamaica with our 2 best friends and the tickets are already purchased, so make sure you have your things packed and ready in 5 days because that’s when we fly out for our vacation.”
In the 10 years of being with my husband, he had never taken over planning anything to leave me with little to no weight on my shoulders.
A very shocking yet sweet surprise.
His genuine gesture wasn’t the only surprise. The thought of getting onto a plane became almost unbearable in my mind.
You! You’re the theif that crept into my body and took over completely.
You brought, with you, panic that set in to cause uncontrollable tears and the bouts of hyperventilation. The empty feeling that launched itself into the pit of my stomach and caused an eerie unshakeable feeling of sickness to overcome me. An overwhelming sense of dread that covered my entire body like a blanket of snow that covered my grandparents’ yard as the aftermath of a cold Missouri winter storm.
The enormous lump that, from nowhere, seemed to form in my throat…leaving me unable to swallow.
Who knew that you could completely dibilitate a person with such a quickness and seemingly cunning ease?
I do now because I had the opportunity of experiencing your “work” firsthand.
You crept in and gripped onto me as if I were a nut stuck on a bolt and you the vice used to hold me in place in order for me to be broken free.
You wasn’t letting go no matter how hard I tried to fight you away.
You won the battle that day.
You may end up winning the war…honestly.
To this day I can’t bring myself to step onto a plane. I can’t even entertain the thought of it without you peeking from around the corner. Reminding me that you are still there.
I shove you away, along with any thoughts I may have of flying, so that I don’t have to experience all that comes with you. It’s easier that way
Maybe oneday I may have the courage to face you, but until that day comes I’m perfectly fine carrying on with my life keeping you at bay… Staying away from stepping onto any aircraft to take flight.

(73% Style Score)

Beautiful Promise,

Your metal is both cold and hot. The chill of your initial presence makes you hard to ignore, but it is your warmth that tells me how special you truly are. It is as if all the love shared between my partner and I have embedded deeply within you. The continuous circle represents the never ending bond between lovers. Your diamonds shine with the blinding bliss of knowing we’ve come this far. And your unique design, both of antique detail and modern style, tells of a story for the ages. You hold our history, the good, the bad, and the lovely. You are my reminder of the bold love I am blessed to share, and I will forever cherish you.

Love,

A Future Bride

Style Score 100%

Dearest Absence,

My heart pounds at the mere mention of your name. I hold you near day in and day out. I see your presence in the eyes of my children and in the shadows, always lurking when he is around. Where once you were just a dream, now you are a reality. I do not fear the one who brings you, for he is but mortal man. No, it is your patient hunting of the hearts of my children that causes the shuddering of my soul. The threats of your untimely arrival are all-consuming. However, the uncertainty of what is best, to welcome you with open arms knowing my children will find refuge in your aftermath, or to hold them closer and flee your threats, is my greatest fear. Is it selfish to run from you or selfish to seize you? I honestly do not know, but, dearest Absence, we are a pair. Where I go, you go. You are always within reach. Your presence does not comfort me, however. No, instead it riles me. And that burning inferno pushes me to fight another day. And so I bid you farewell, even if for just a night while I enjoy the love saturated presence of my children.

Good Day,

A single mother

Style score 100%

Dear fear,

  Do you know anyone who blasts classical music and loves listening to it? Despite daily bullying and microaggressions, who remains committed to their cultural values and traditions? Who is indifferent to their clothing choices, aside from specific situations, and has no interest in alcohol or drugs? Me! I do not care for all these things. I believe in myself. I have unwavering faith in my potential for greater achievements. I am the biggest culprit with holding myself down. As Marianne Williamson says, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”  Williamson, from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. 

I choose not to follow any particular faith, but that quote resonates with me. You do not have any power over me when I have an army that includes God, ancestors, angels, and divine beings, all of whom resonate love. I believe love conquers any fear, yet we still need some fear getting through this thing called life. We reduce ourselves, and our peers contribute to this, making us feel inadequate. My most fulfilling life experiences have come from conquering my greatest fears. For instance, moving to Texas from California, on my own and being able to transfer my job. I had the help of my amazing cousin, who has been a steadfast helper and who has been more of a brother than a cousin. We have to learn to lean on others and trust the process. While it always requires hard work, manifestation’s power is so profound it alters realities. I also took a chance on dating and found someone wonderful who is showing me I deserve a man who is chivalrous, gentle, kind, sensitive, and loving! Who would have thought Facebook was good for dating?  

People do not realize what you ask the universe to give to you,the universe will deliver! It is a simple idea, but it is a fact. Watch/read The Secret, and you will see what I mean. I am not very good at describing other people’s ideas, but I can tell you mine. Why would you want to waste your time hating people, things that are bad/evil? Why don’t you choose love instead? Love your friends, family (I know it’s hard), and everyone else. We do not practice true love in this world anymore! What is true love? The ability to wish someone well even if they did something bad. Have a little more empathy and try to do good! Counter fear with good, not tit-for-tat! I can only hope more people realize this. 

Love

Asma

I see you there, holding all that weight,
A heart cracked open by fear and fate.
You tremble in shadows where love should have grown,
Haunted by voices that chilled you to the bone.

Your Mother’s hands, meant to heal and hold,
Instead left bruises, silent and cold.
And yet, the fear of her being gone
Cuts deeper than words could ever spawn.

Grandmother’s warmth was a flickering light,
But even that slipped into endless night.
Now grief sits heavy, a ghost by your side,
While old wounds and memories silently collide.

Anxiety whispers, “You’re never enough.”
Depression replies, “Why fight when it’s tough?”
PTSD drags you back to those days,
When safety was fleeting, lost in a haze.

And still, the walls feel thinner each day,
Threatening to crumble, to drift away.
What if the roof gives in to the storm?
What if you’re left out in the cold, far from warm?

But hear me now, in this fragile line:
Your pain does not erase your shine,
You’ve survived storms darker then the sky,
And though you’re tired, you still try.

The house may shake, but you are stone.
Built from scars and standing alone.
And even if the walls fall down,
You are not lost, you will not drown.

Breathe, even when it hurts to start.
Hold space for the cracks in your heart.
You are more than the shadows that chase,
More than the fears you quietly face.
So, when the night feels far too long,
Remember: you are still here. You are still strong.

With love,
Your Inner-self

Style Score 100%