Virginia Woolf, From A Letter To Vanessa Bell Written C. August 1908

“How many people have died to achieve this world domination of yours?” “769.” “…What?” “769 people died to achieve my plans. I counted them, and had each of their names etched on my throne so I never forget what my victory cost the world. Now tell me, how many have you killed to see me dead?”

I am trying. Truly. I'm doing my best, I hope that's enough.

“Connection is either there or it’s not.”

I heard that this morning, and all I can think about since, is how some people have no idea what deep connection feels like. They carry on, sipping their tea, smiling at the sunset in the company of a stranger, and they long for nothing. I’d be a liar if I said that I didn’t envy something about that. Because once you know deep connection, surface level feels like drowning. And well, I’ve been gasping for air for quite some time now.

How To Develop Self Respect ✨

Understand your strengths, weaknesses, what you believe, and what you want. This is like the starting point for respecting yourself.

Decide how you want others to treat you. Say "no" when you need to and think about what's best for you.

Stop saying bad things about yourself. Say nice things instead, just like you would to a friend.

Eat healthy food, sleep well, and do things that make you happy and relaxed.

Set things you want to do and finish. When you do them, you'll feel really good about yourself.

When you mess up, don't be too hard on yourself. Think about what you can learn and do better next time.

Be with people who make you feel good and avoid people who make you feel bad.

Say what you want or how you feel in a strong but nice way.

If you do something wrong, don't be mad at yourself forever. Everybody makes mistakes.

Sometimes, think about the things you do and why you do them. This helps you stay true to yourself.

When you do something good, even if it's small, give yourself a pat on the back.

Think about the good things in your life. This can make you feel happier and better about yourself.

warning, im gonna vent a lil

it’s really hard to comprehend how much i truly mean to someone. someone who was there since day one, who i’ve known all my life. they are the only person who knows me inside out and stayed when they saw who i really was. they liked me for me, and they never judged me a day in the years we spent together. how could someone leave after all that time?

all those promises, all those nights they reassured me that they’d never leave. that they’d never abandon me like everyone else did. all those nights i sobbed to them that i was scared that they’d leave, the same nights they’d convince me they were here to stay. even after all that, they still left. all those promises, all the things they had ever said to me meant nothing. i meant nothing to them.

and it’s not cruel that they left, it’s cruel because i wholeheartedly believed them.

There’s something so bittersweet about August.

About trying to savour those last little bits of the summer. Of the constant ache in your chest. The sunshine. The uncertainty.

I drive by so many empty childhood homes. They look the same, but there’s a solemn silence. You used to live there, remember that? I do.

The summer is ending. The leaves are changing.

But as always, August comes and goes, and with it so do I.

I embrace it, and I embrace you. Crying, and laughing, and saying goodbye with a smile.

(Maybe) I’ll see you again next year

Sincerely,

A girl homesick for a place she hasn’t left yet

“you don’t owe anyone anything” actually you owe everyone everything!!! you OWE your table server and your coworkers and the elderly person you pass on the street and the dog on its walk and the child toddling along in the park and the driver trying to merge next to you and the pregnant person standing on public transport KINDNESS in return for theirs!! the connections we build are what give life meaning!!!

the nightmare will stop only if I fall asleep forever