by Talia Knox
There’s a version of me that exists only in group chats. They’re funnier. Faster. Always ready with a response. They send memes at the right time. They know how to keep the conversation going. They don’t overthink every message.
That version of me is easy to like.
The real version of me is quieter. Slower. Sometimes unsure of what to say. There are moments when I stare at my screen, typing and deleting, typing and deleting, wondering if what I say will land right.
It’s strange how connected we are, and how disconnected it can still feel.
One night, I didn’t reply. The chat kept moving without me.
And nothing changed.
That should have made me feel replaceable. Instead, it made me realize something else: I don’t have to be present all the time to matter. Being quiet sometimes doesn’t mean disappearing. It just means being human.
Art by Ati Van Twillert, “Seek The Little Things That Makes You, You“
About the Author
Talia blends personal voice with storytelling, turning lived experiences and quiet observations into reflective, emotionally honest narratives.