by Josiah Morales
I bring more than just my backpack home each day.
Yes, there’s the heavy baggage of the assignments that are still undone but then there’s all the things no one ever gives me a grade on. The conversations I wish went better, those minor awkward moments that pop into my mind for seemingly no reason and that pervasive feeling that somehow, everybody else has their things figured out better than I do.
I set my bag down once I get home but I don’t necessarily put these things down with it. They linger and take up space beside me as I scroll through my phone, eat dinner, and pretend to relax. It’s recently that I’ve started bringing home something else with me, however: little triumphs.
My teacher, “good point.” My friend actually laughing at something I say without a second thought. A moment where I just didn’t overthink and simply existed. These things aren’t heavy, they feel more like confirmation that I’m not only made of doubt, and slowly, I’m finding myself learning to carry more of the small things that quietly support me and less of those that drag me down.
Art by Hayley F., The Red Hoodie
About the Author
Josiah finds direction and clarity through writing. He uses storytelling as a way to shape his thoughts, understand his experiences, and discover his own path forward.