There was a time in my life when I was so small, yet already burdened with more than most kids my age. I was constantly falling sick — one illness after another — and it often felt like I was living in a hospital more than in my own home. Over time, the weight of it...

I’ve never been very fortunate when it came to love — parental or romantic. I’ve loved, and I’ve been loved, but never quite in the way I needed. As the oldest daughter, raising my three younger siblings became my responsibility. I was their protector, their guide,...

In my experience with depression, I would compare the mental state to a sudden onslaught of rolling, dark clouds and thunder — with a downpour of thick, heavy rain. This storm sharply contrasts the sky that was, only moments before, a beautiful blue full of bright,...

Experiencing trauma can be emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausting. Having gone through an intense and extreme situation where I felt “less than” or “not enough” on a daily basis, I realized I had to start practicing what I preach. My body and mind were...

My father never said “I love you” out loud. But he didn’t have to—he made sure we always felt it. Every gesture, every wordless connection, every silent presence—it all spoke volumes. He was a good father. No, he was a wonderful one. We are four sisters, and he gave...

When I was growing up, I had an absent father and mother. My father died when I was just 1 year old, and my mother abandoned me when I was 2. I lived with my mother’s father after that. I just turned 18 a couple of weeks ago, and looking back, my childhood wasn’t...