There are essays that you read, and then there are essays that you feel in your marrow. Saira has written the latter. This piece is a breathtaking map for anyone who has ever felt their own name becoming a whisper in their own life. 'You are still yours' what a vital, holy reminder. I am deeply moved by Saira’s vulnerability here; she reminds us that returning to oneself isn't a loud explosion, but a quiet, brave homecoming. Please, read this slowly. Let it settle. And if you know someone who is currently 'between chapters,' send this to them. It might just be the thread they need to find their way back. 🕯️
Ral, your words took my breath away. To be read, truly read, like this is such a rare and sacred feeling. Thank you for naming the quiet bravery this piece was written from. That line you highlighted,"You are still yours," came from such a personal place, so it means everything to know it landed with you. I’m deeply moved by your reflection and honoured that this essay could serve as a thread for others too. Thank you for holding space for it so beautifully, and for the feature. Truly grateful. I hope it reaches those who need it most, and helps them feel seen, held, and loved. 🥹🥰❤️✨️🫶🏻🌹🕯
This is beautiful. The way you describe losing yourself quietly, through small compromises rather than one big rupture, feels so true. And the return you describe isn’t dramatic or performative, it’s gentle, patient, earned. I really loved the image of the thread still being there, even when it thins. Thank you for naming this so softly and honestly.
My pleasure! Thank you so much, Nat, your words mean a great deal. That quiet unraveling through small compromises was something I really wanted to honour here, and I’m so glad it resonated with you. I love that you held onto the thread image, it felt important to remind us that even when we feel lost, something of us remains. Deeply grateful for your thoughtful reflection and presence here.
Much applause, Saira, for this beautiful framing of the often-invisible disconnection from self. It’s the quiet culprit of so many personal ills. For me, the path to True Self began with a stark realization: I wasn’t living my own life; I was living someone else’s. Now I live on 10—elevated, free, and joy-filled every day.
Thank you so much, Netta, your words mean the world. I’m so moved that this piece spoke to you in that way, and honoured you shared your own powerful realisation. That shift from living someone else’s life to choosing your own joy-filled path, it’s everything. Here’s to staying elevated, free, and true to ourselves. Grateful to walk alongside voices like yours ✨️✨️✨️
Thank you! So kind! Saima, this made me smile so wide! To be one of your favourites is a true honour, and your words feel like a hug. Thank you for celebrating this moment with me. I’m so grateful for your presence, and for the joy you bring into this space. ❤️🌹🥰
"You wake up one day, and realize you’ve become fluent in hiding. And it’s not always a person or event that causes it. Sometimes it’s the slow accumulation of small betrayals to your truth. A life that fits around others, but doesn’t hold space for you. A story where your own name gets whispered"
Sue, thank you so much. That means more than I can say. I’m so deeply moved that this spoke to your heart, and I’m grateful you felt seen in these words. Your presence and reflection truly matter. ❤️🥹🥰🌹
My pleasure! Neela, your words moved me. You’ve named something so rarely spoken, that even healing can come with grief, that returning isn’t always light and ease, but sometimes a quiet mourning too. Thank you for sharing this reflection, it carries so much depth. I’m honoured the piece resonated with you, and grateful to be in this space with you and Ral. Sending love as you navigate all those returns.
Thank you, Neela, that means so much. Wishing you a gentle, nourishing rest of the week too. Let’s keep holding space for the truths we’re still learning to name.
It captures how we don’t lose ourselves in one moment, but in small acts of survival. The idea that returning isn’t dramatic, just remembering, is powerful. Poetry as a bridge back to voice and agency feels true. “You are still yours” is the line that stays.
Thank you so much, Nicole, your reflection means a great deal. Yes, exactly that: not a grand return, but quiet remembering through the small acts that keep us going. I’m deeply moved that “you are still yours” stayed with you, that was the heartbeat of it all. Grateful for your words and the way you’ve seen this piece.
This was beautifully done and a conversation you'd have with a special friend. Eye felt every word 🙌🏾🙌🏾 thank you for talking to me! Gotta share this...
My pleasure! Rosetta, thank you so much, that truly means the world to me. To know the piece felt like a real conversation, and that you felt every word. I’m deeply moved. That’s all I ever hope for with my writing, that it reaches someone in that quiet, personal way. Grateful beyond words for your presence here. ✨
Oh Geraldine, your words moved me to tears. Thank you for receiving this piece with such open tenderness. I’m so deeply grateful it reached you the way it did. Holding you in this moment, with softness and so much love. 🥹
There are essays that you read, and then there are essays that you feel in your marrow. Saira has written the latter. This piece is a breathtaking map for anyone who has ever felt their own name becoming a whisper in their own life. 'You are still yours' what a vital, holy reminder. I am deeply moved by Saira’s vulnerability here; she reminds us that returning to oneself isn't a loud explosion, but a quiet, brave homecoming. Please, read this slowly. Let it settle. And if you know someone who is currently 'between chapters,' send this to them. It might just be the thread they need to find their way back. 🕯️
Ral, your words took my breath away. To be read, truly read, like this is such a rare and sacred feeling. Thank you for naming the quiet bravery this piece was written from. That line you highlighted,"You are still yours," came from such a personal place, so it means everything to know it landed with you. I’m deeply moved by your reflection and honoured that this essay could serve as a thread for others too. Thank you for holding space for it so beautifully, and for the feature. Truly grateful. I hope it reaches those who need it most, and helps them feel seen, held, and loved. 🥹🥰❤️✨️🫶🏻🌹🕯
🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks and thanks a million times too
A million thanks right back to you, Ral, for the read, the reflection, the resonance. I’m deeply grateful for how you’ve held this piece.
I'm in love with this ♥️
🥰🥹❤️
This is beautiful. The way you describe losing yourself quietly, through small compromises rather than one big rupture, feels so true. And the return you describe isn’t dramatic or performative, it’s gentle, patient, earned. I really loved the image of the thread still being there, even when it thins. Thank you for naming this so softly and honestly.
My pleasure! Thank you so much, Nat, your words mean a great deal. That quiet unraveling through small compromises was something I really wanted to honour here, and I’m so glad it resonated with you. I love that you held onto the thread image, it felt important to remind us that even when we feel lost, something of us remains. Deeply grateful for your thoughtful reflection and presence here.
Such a beautiful perspective... This is so beautiful. Thanks for being here to support us. Saira is such an amazing woman
Much applause, Saira, for this beautiful framing of the often-invisible disconnection from self. It’s the quiet culprit of so many personal ills. For me, the path to True Self began with a stark realization: I wasn’t living my own life; I was living someone else’s. Now I live on 10—elevated, free, and joy-filled every day.
Thank you so much, Netta, your words mean the world. I’m so moved that this piece spoke to you in that way, and honoured you shared your own powerful realisation. That shift from living someone else’s life to choosing your own joy-filled path, it’s everything. Here’s to staying elevated, free, and true to ourselves. Grateful to walk alongside voices like yours ✨️✨️✨️
You got all these right.... Thanks for being there Netta 🤍
It’s a lovely piece by one of my favourite people on the publication of my other favourite. What a heaven! 💞
Thank you! So kind! Saima, this made me smile so wide! To be one of your favourites is a true honour, and your words feel like a hug. Thank you for celebrating this moment with me. I’m so grateful for your presence, and for the joy you bring into this space. ❤️🌹🥰
Thanks Saima..... I appreciate the read and support
"You wake up one day, and realize you’ve become fluent in hiding. And it’s not always a person or event that causes it. Sometimes it’s the slow accumulation of small betrayals to your truth. A life that fits around others, but doesn’t hold space for you. A story where your own name gets whispered"
I am hooked Saira! This speaks to my heart ❤️
Sue, thank you so much. That means more than I can say. I’m so deeply moved that this spoke to your heart, and I’m grateful you felt seen in these words. Your presence and reflection truly matter. ❤️🥹🥰🌹
Got me hooked too 🥰🥰
Grieving who you were is something I didn't expect to have to do.
There's this idea that returning to yourself is pure relief, but there's loss in it too.
I feel that every time I return to my home country.
Thank you sista Ral and Saira, for your beautiful words.
My pleasure! Neela, your words moved me. You’ve named something so rarely spoken, that even healing can come with grief, that returning isn’t always light and ease, but sometimes a quiet mourning too. Thank you for sharing this reflection, it carries so much depth. I’m honoured the piece resonated with you, and grateful to be in this space with you and Ral. Sending love as you navigate all those returns.
Your love is well-received, Saira.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Thank you, Neela, that means so much. Wishing you a gentle, nourishing rest of the week too. Let’s keep holding space for the truths we’re still learning to name.
Beautiful piece
Thank you! I’m so glad this resonated with you
Finding oneself is not as easy as it sounds
It captures how we don’t lose ourselves in one moment, but in small acts of survival. The idea that returning isn’t dramatic, just remembering, is powerful. Poetry as a bridge back to voice and agency feels true. “You are still yours” is the line that stays.
Thank you so much, Nicole, your reflection means a great deal. Yes, exactly that: not a grand return, but quiet remembering through the small acts that keep us going. I’m deeply moved that “you are still yours” stayed with you, that was the heartbeat of it all. Grateful for your words and the way you’ve seen this piece.
This was beautifully done and a conversation you'd have with a special friend. Eye felt every word 🙌🏾🙌🏾 thank you for talking to me! Gotta share this...
My pleasure! Rosetta, thank you so much, that truly means the world to me. To know the piece felt like a real conversation, and that you felt every word. I’m deeply moved. That’s all I ever hope for with my writing, that it reaches someone in that quiet, personal way. Grateful beyond words for your presence here. ✨
I’m crying that’s all I can say, dear Saira.
Oh Geraldine, your words moved me to tears. Thank you for receiving this piece with such open tenderness. I’m so deeply grateful it reached you the way it did. Holding you in this moment, with softness and so much love. 🥹