Sometimes we remind ourselves of each other.

"A bedtime bandage for you"

Some people have the exact same thoughts as you. That's peaceful.

Last night I read something related to parents aging and the grief that surrounds it. And as I searched through the comment section, I found at least 25 comments saying, "It takes up so much space in my head thinking about it"

I often think about how will I ever live without my mom or dad. It feels like being closed in a dark room with nowhere to go. But I never realised so many of us feel that, so maybe we're all stuck in the same room and it isn't that lonely. 

We as human beings think we are sinking deep down because we feel alone and burdened by the weight of our thoughts. But while scrolling through a random quote on Mother's Day that I found relatable, I saw hundreds of comments saying "I relate". While feeling tired and coming back from work, I see my neighbour walking up to the front yard to wave me hello, while I lie on my bed after dinner, feeling full, I watch my mom keep another bowl of mangoes on my bedside table. 

I don't simply feel my thoughts if the actions and people in my life never made me feel worthy or seen. 

Either we are afraid of people leaving us behind because we are used to the love and happiness, or we are scared to meet an end that's unlike them. I think that's a sign that the present is treating you well, and why else should you feel the need to even worry about the uncertainty of the future?

Mom says, “Never borrow a worry from the future, deal with it then.” Maybe you're drowning in a pool of tears, but what if the sun that will rise tomorrow will dry it all up? So what happens if you just keep swimming? What happens if you take it one day at a time? What happens if you just believe that so many of us are stranded together on an island, but we've yet to meet one another?

The truth is - We're all swimming. Some of us just adapt, some of us just learn to face the tide, some of us just believe the shore is near, and some of us are looking out for the sun to rise. We're all mended pieces of each other's story, and we'll always stay connected by one thing - survival. 

So if you must survive. Do it well. 

Do it sad and do it empty. But when you go to sleep at night, know that you're among a thousand tiny little stars that will shine when it's their time.

But this is a letter to myself ,and I'll end it by saying that:

those comments and the people in my life taught me one thing-

People around you feel the same way, the same thoughts, just not at the same time. So you're not alone. If they can figure it out and live on, you can too.

-For The Exclusive,

Tasfia Tafannum