Pryanca Nair

Wandering through friendships can feel like stumbling in the dark. Some disappear when happiness fades. But there are those true friends who stick around, patching up wounds they didn't cause. They're the comforting hug when tears fall, the listening ear for endless complaints. They're the guide bringing you back to yourself when you're lost. They invite you to cheerful brunches and stand by you in silence. They mend you without you even realizing it, gathering and putting together the broken pieces. Amid your ups and downs, they promise to always be there. My heart is full of gratitude for those who stayed, for they, too, helped mend what they didn't break.

• I am sorry you had to go through that. • I see you trying the best you can. • I see you and I hear you. • It's okay to cry, I am here for you. • It's ok to want things to be different. • You are loved just as you are. There is no need to change. • You are perfectly imperfect & powerful beyond measure. • What happened to you was not your fault. • You did all you could do. • Your feelings are valid. • It's okay to feel lonely sometimes. • You longer have to hide yourself. • I forgive you.

In four years of therapy, I've embarked on a journey of transformation, but with each passing day, I've realized that I'm bidding farewell to a part of myself—the inner child. The child who once found joy in the simplest of things, like wandering into stationery stores or relishing candy floss, now feels distant, as if slipping away beyond reach. Slowly, without warning, the essence of that carefree spirit began to fade, leaving behind a sense of loss and confusion. Who was I becoming? The adult me stared back from the mirror, searching for answers, yet feeling lost in the process. The healing journey was draining, pulling me into sleepless nights and bewildered days, as I struggled to reconcile the person I was with the person I was becoming. Healing isn't just about overcoming pain; it's about mourning the innocence and wonder of the inner child that once defined us. It's a journey filled with moments of celebration, rage, and profound sadness—a journey that u