“I realised I’ve never actually been on a date with myself.” Not the “treat yourself” kind. I mean sitting with myself no phone, no audience, no one’s eyes telling me who to be. Just me… with me. Most of my life, I’ve matched the people around me without even noticing. Their pace. Their mood. Their limits. And after a while, you forget what your own rhythm feels like. So I’m trying something new. I’m taking myself out to notice the way I look back at me, to find the version of me that doesn’t need anyone’s permission to exist. And maybe if I can believe in that person… I’ll finally stop living at their level, and start living at mine. -Juanda