nice to meet you

Last summer, when the COVID-19 pandemic took control of all of our lives and locked us away inside, I felt I had lost myself for a few months. I spent a lot of my time alone, wondering what could be making me feel so empty, as if a significant part of who I am went missing. No matter how much time I spent pondering the possible answers, I couldn't figure out what that part of me was, and so I spent the summer in a slump, feeling down and lost and hopeless.

It wasn't until the fall semester of my junior year started that I started to find myself again and realized the reason I felt so hollow during the brightest months of the year: I had stopped writing.

I spent my springtime and summer days in bed, sleeping the sunshine away and listening to the same songs on repeat in hopes of making the time go by faster. I felt I had lost my purpose, and it was because I had lost my words — I had let them go. I didn't pick up my journal, write new articles, tell new stories or document the stories I was making for myself. I let go of what I've spent more than half of my life doing, and with my words went my happiness.

This summer, I promised myself I wouldn't get back to that place. I would hold onto my words and use my love and talent for writing to document the memories I make during my last official summer before graduating college, getting a job and being a "real" adult. I promised myself I would write my heart out, do what I love most and document all of my new experiences.

So, here I am on day one of this new journey, using my words to remain myself and continue finding and discovering new parts of who I am meant to be. I hope you'll stick with me to see where it takes me next.

All the love,

Tay