“It was not witches who burned. It was women. Women who were seen as Too beautiful, Too outspoken, Had too much water in the well (yes, seriously), Who had a birthmark, Women who were too skilled with herbal medicine, Too loud, Too quiet, Too much red in her hair, Women who had a strong nature connection, Women who danced, Women who sung, or anything else, really. ANY WOMAN WAS AT RISK BURNING IN THE SIXTEEN HUNDREDS Sisters testified and turned on each other when their babies were held under ice. Children were tortured to confess their experiences with “witches” by being fake executed in ovens. Women were held under water and if they float, they were guilty and executed. If they sunk and drowned they were innocent. Women were thrown off cliffs. Women were put in deep holes in the ground. The start of this madness was years of famine, war between religions and lots of fear. The churches said that witches, demons and the devil did exist and women were nothing but trouble. As we see even today, there is often a scapegoat created, and the chaos escalated in Sweden when the Bible became law and everything that did not line up with what the church said became lethal. The Bible fanaticism killed thousands of women. Everything connected to a women became feared, especially her sexuality. It became labeled as dark and dangerous and was the core of the witch trials through out the world. Why do I write this? Because I think the usage of words are important, especially when we are doing the work to pull these murky, repressed and forgotten about stories to the surface. Because knowing our history is important when we are building the new world. When we are doing the healing work of our lineages and as women. To give the women who were slaughtered a voice, to give them redress and a chance of peace. It was not witches who burned. It was women." ~ Fia Forsström, author
Ah yes, the classic love story: boy meets girl, boy dumps girl, boy realizes 30 days later that life without girl is a bit boring, and voilà, he’s suddenly enlightened. If only all of life’s problems could be solved with this much grace and wisdom! So, for those aspiring romantics out there who want to master the fine art of dump-and-reconnect, I present to you: The 30-Day Love Detox Program!
Step 1: The Dramatic Exit – Make Them Wonder If You're Joining a Cult The first step in this master plan is to make your exit look like you're about to embark on some spiritual journey (cue random deep quotes about "finding yourself"). Pro tip: Try breaking up in the most cliché location possible—maybe a park bench with leaves falling dramatically around you, or at a cafe while you sip on an overpriced artisanal latte. Look them dead in the eyes and say something profound like, “I just need to find out who I really am… without you.” This will leave them thinking, "Wow, maybe they're going to start meditating on a mountaintop?" Spoiler alert: You’re not.
Step 2: Ghost Like a Pro – Silence Speaks Louder Than Words… or Texts Now that you’ve set the stage for your epic transformation (aka, a month of Netflix and scrolling through Tinder), it’s time to ghost like it’s your part-time job. Not a single message. Total radio silence. Make sure your social media presence is carefully curated: post a few artsy photos of sunsets, yoga poses (that you definitely didn’t do), and maybe one of those cryptic "self-growth" memes, like, “Sometimes, you have to lose yourself to become the person you were meant to be.” Deep, right? Meanwhile, you’re really just mastering the art of lounging on your couch.
Step 3: The "Epiphany" – AKA, You Miss Their Netflix Password After a glorious 30 days (definitely not because you’ve run out of things to do or people to swipe left on), it’s time to have your “epiphany.” Suddenly, you’ve realized that they’re the one. Or at least the one who had a really great HBO subscription. So you send the message that every ex just loves to receive out of the blue: “Hey… been thinking a lot. I realize now that what we had was special. Can we talk?” Oh really? It took you a whole month to figure that out? What’s next, he misses your Spotify playlists and suddenly realizes he can’t live without you? Groundbreaking stuff. Because what says personal growth better than completely disregarding the fact that you dumped them for vague, mysterious reasons? Growth, baby. Growth.
Step 4: The Overly Casual Meet-Up – Because We’re Totally Mature Adults Now, suggest the casual meet-up. Something low-key, like grabbing coffee or, better yet, bumping into them “accidentally” at the exact cafe they frequent every Thursday at 4 PM. Apologize for your “growth period,” but don’t overdo it—you don’t want them to think you’re TOO sorry. Let them know you’re ready to “give it another shot,” as if you’re offering a rare, limited-time-only opportunity. Remember to throw in phrases like “fresh start” or “new chapter,” because nothing screams romance like pretending the last chapter wasn’t a dumpster fire.
Step 5: The Reboot – Because What Could Go Wrong? At this point, they might be confused, mildly entertained, or plotting your demise, but hey, you feel like you’ve turned over a new leaf! What could possibly go wrong by giving it another try, right? After all, you’ve had a whole 30 days of spiritual Netflix therapy—totally enough time to rewrite your relationship future. Spoiler alert: The sequel is usually worse than the original, but hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained!
In Conclusion: Why go through all the hassle of working on yourself, learning from your mistakes, or communicating better, when you can just dump someone, wait a month, and swoop back in with a fresh coat of charm? Because in the game of love, nothing says “I’m serious this time” like making a dramatic comeback after a whole four weeks of soul-searching (or, you know, browsing memes) or as if you’ve just come back from some emotional sabbatical.
"The two most powerful warriors are patience and time." - Leo Tolstoy
No I love yous
The restaurant was charming, the kind of place you’d only stumble upon if you knew exactly where to look. Warm lights cast a soft glow over the table, and the hum of quiet conversation filled the space. We had been talking about everything—our favorite places to visit, the movies that shaped us, even our love-hate relationship with dating apps. It was one of those nights where everything felt easy. Until the food arrived.
The waiter approached, carefully setting a large, beautifully arranged seafood platter between us. Shrimp, mussels, oysters—the works. The kind of dish that would impress any other date. But for me? It was like watching a horror show unfold in slow motion.
I froze, staring at the plate as my stomach sank. The last time I’d come into contact with seafood, I ended up in the hospital, my throat closing before I could even realize what was happening. The mere sight of it was enough to send my heart racing.
“Everything alright?” he asked, noticing my hesitation.
I glanced up, not wanting to make a scene, but there was no avoiding it.
“Uh… I’m actually allergic to seafood,” I said, my voice quieter than usual.
His eyes widened in shock, and for a split second, I saw the panic flash across his face.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry,” he said, his hand immediately going to his forehead like he couldn’t believe his own mistake. “I didn’t even think to ask. I swear I’ll double-check next time!”
I couldn’t help but smile, even as the waiter, who overheard, swiftly took the plate away to replace it with something less life-threatening.
“It’s okay,” I replied, waving it off, though I couldn’t quite hide the nervous laugh that followed. “Happens more often than you’d think.”
He looked relieved, but the guilt still hung in the air. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, his expression sincere.
“No, really, that’s on me. I should’ve asked. I don’t want to accidentally kill you on a first date,” he said with a grin, though the joke barely masked his embarrassment.
I laughed, the tension breaking a little more. “Yeah, that would definitely put a damper on things.”
As we waited for the replacement dish, the conversation flowed again, though with a few seafood-related jokes sprinkled in.
“I’ll be sure to stay far away from shellfish from now on,” he added with a sheepish smile. “You’ve made me rethink my entire seafood-loving existence.”
“Well,” I said, “at least you’ll never forget this date.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “No chance. Next time, I’m asking about everything. I’m talking allergies, preferences, zodiac signs—whatever I need to know to avoid another seafood disaster.”
I couldn’t help but be charmed by how quickly he turned the situation around. It wasn’t just that he apologized; it was that he genuinely cared. He wasn’t trying to brush it off or make me feel like I was overreacting. He was thoughtful, and the way he handled it—so effortlessly kind—was something I didn’t expect but appreciated more than I could say.
As the night went on, it became less about the seafood mishap and more about how we laughed through it. That small moment could’ve been awkward or embarrassing, but instead, it brought us closer. His genuine concern and the way he quickly promised to do better next time told me a lot about who he was.
When the new dish finally arrived—this time a seafood-free option—he grinned. “Now, how’s that for a safer choice?”
I smiled back. “Perfect."
The night wrapped up, and as we left the restaurant, the cool breeze brushing past us, I found myself thinking about how one small mistake revealed so much about someone’s character. It wasn’t about avoiding errors or being perfect; it was about how we handle those little bumps along the way.
As we said goodnight, he leaned in and said, “Next time, it’s on me. And I promise, no seafood.”
“Deal,” I said, laughing. “Just steer clear of lobsters, okay?”
We parted ways, and as I walked home, I realized something. It wasn’t the flawless date that stuck with me—it was the way he turned a near disaster into something that felt like the beginning of something real. A small mistake, yes, but one handled with so much care that I couldn’t help but look forward to whatever came next.
Maybe I wasn’t praying hard enough. Maybe He has another plan— a beautiful one. But God, that was so painful. I don’t have anyone to talk to, and no one takes me seriously. Maybe it’s because I always laugh at tragedy, having grown so used to it.
I choked on my pill. 😂 Jesus.
I’ve been several months away from home living in the cityyyyyy 😭😭😭
Depression is crazy because If you don’t actively combat it daily you’ll find yourself a week after having the best week of your life laying on the floor for two hours wondering why you can’t get up @le_debut
In today's gig economy, the role of a virtual assistant (VA) has gained significant traction. The flexibility and remote nature of the job appeal to many, especially those seeking to balance personal and professional lives. However, like any career path, it has its upsides and downsides. Here's a deep dive into what you can expect when working as a virtual assistant.
The Pros of Being a Virtual Assistant
1. Flexibility
One of the most significant advantages of being a VA is the ability to work from anywhere. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, your office can be a beach in Bali or your cozy living room. This flexibility allows for a better work-life balance and can be especially beneficial for those with family commitments or other personal responsibilities.
2. Diverse Opportunities
Working as a VA often means wearing many hats. You could be managing emails, scheduling meetings, handling social media, or performing market research. This diversity can make the job more engaging and provide a wide range of skills that can be useful in various fields.
3. Cost Savings
Commuting costs, work attire, and lunch expenses can add up. As a VA, these costs are significantly reduced. Additionally, you have the opportunity to take on multiple clients, potentially increasing your income.
4. Personal Growth
The virtual assistant role can be a great platform for personal growth. The nature of the job often requires excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills. Over time, you may find yourself becoming more adept in these areas, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional contexts.
The Cons of Being a Virtual Assistant
1. Job Stability
One of the most challenging aspects of being a VA is the lack of job security. Contracts can be terminated at any time, often with little notice. Clients' needs change, businesses pivot, and budget cuts happen. Without a long-term contract, there’s always a risk of losing your source of income.
2. Isolation
While working from home has its perks, it can also be isolating. Without the social interactions of a traditional office, you might miss out on the camaraderie and networking opportunities that come with being in a team environment.
3. Inconsistent Income
As a virtual assistant, your income can be unpredictable. Some months you might have more work than you can handle, while others might be sparse. This inconsistency can make budgeting and financial planning challenging.
4. Self-Discipline Required
Working remotely requires a high level of self-discipline and motivation. Without a manager looking over your shoulder, it can be easy to procrastinate or become distracted. It’s essential to have strong time management skills and the ability to stay focused on tasks.
Given these pros and cons, it's crucial to have a fallback plan. Here are some strategies to ensure you're prepared for any eventualities:
Build an Emergency Fund: Having a financial cushion can help you weather periods of inconsistent income or job loss.
Continuous Learning: Keep updating your skills and knowledge. The more versatile and skilled you are, the more valuable you become to current and potential clients.
Networking: Join VA communities, attend webinars, and connect with other professionals. Networking can lead to new job opportunities and provide support when needed.
Diversify Your Client Base: Relying on a single client for your income can be risky. Aim to have multiple clients to spread the risk.
Working as a virtual assistant can be incredibly rewarding, offering flexibility and diverse opportunities. However, it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly around job stability and income consistency. By understanding these pros and cons and preparing accordingly, you can make the most of your career as a virtual assistant. Embrace the journey, keep learning, and always have a plan B. *wink*
my thoughts are messy.