Sade Andria Zabala

i am good at making problems out of nothing.

Although the stigma of mental health has decreased, the romanticization and stereotypes of mentally ill people – especially those with depression – seem to remain the same.

Dear Mother, I am finally learning how to say ‘thank you’ and express the gratitude you so firmly assumed I was incapable of having. Maybe by the end of this, you’ll also learn something, too – perhaps even how to be proud of me.

Love looks like a lipstick-painted smile on your face that feels as though belongs to someone else.

How do you make someone listen when they don’t want to? How do you fix the reality and existence of casual, everyday racism when the white perpetrators refuse to believe/acknowledge they perpetuate discrimination because they’re offended at being labeled a “racist”?

Whether you loved it or not, if you ever grew up studying at a Catholic school you’ll probably know what I’m talking about.

You recognized the soft in me when everyone else only saw the rough.

This pain is only right now. This hopelessness is only right now. This humiliation is only right now.