Liora, I felt how this piece breathes from the inside — not as a confession of weakness, but as the moment someone finally realizes how long they’ve been carrying too much.
You described that inner sway with such honesty that it becomes almost physical in its recognizability.
Especially the shift from “I’m broken” to “I choose to keep going” — not loudly, not heroically, but as someone who knows the weight of every step.
What struck me most is that your piece isn’t about triumph — it’s about clarity.
About that strange, quiet moment when emptiness stops being an enemy and becomes the space where your own voice can finally be heard.
Thank you for this, Lintara. You named something important — that inner sway between being crushed and choosing to keep going. Recently, my life has been heavy on every front, and the poem came right out of that pressure. Not a collapse, but the moment where clarity cuts through the noise and I remember I’m still moving, even under the weight. I appreciate you seeing that shift.💜
I’ve been gone six weeks and this is the first poem I read on my return. I am not disappointed. It resonated so strongly. Thank you as always for sharing. 💚
Thanks for your comment, Kristin. Have definitely missed you on here. I've been away for a bit myself. Trying to get back on my horse. Hope to chat soon 💜
Thanks so much for reading and responding, Klar. I think we all get in our own heads too much as it is. It doesn't surprise me that line resonated; I think we all feel it at times. It helps to know we're not alone in that 💜
Your piece meets me exactly where I am. I love the strength in your ending, the choice to believe in yourself. I know that sometimes the outcome won’t be pretty or victorious. Sometimes I’ll write into the void, or try my best and still feel unseen. But even then, speaking to myself with some gentleness still matters. Not because it guarantees success, but because it steadies me while I keep going. Thank you for reminding me that courage doesn’t have to be loud to be real. 😉
This means a lot. I know that feeling of trying your best and still slipping into the shadows. I’m grateful the piece reached you in that space, and honestly, your comment steadied me right back. 💜
I feel this at my core. I often spiral about the same things. Working hard to get nothing but judgment and failure. But I cannot spiral. I have to believe in myself or else nobody will
Liora, I felt how this piece breathes from the inside — not as a confession of weakness, but as the moment someone finally realizes how long they’ve been carrying too much.
You described that inner sway with such honesty that it becomes almost physical in its recognizability.
Especially the shift from “I’m broken” to “I choose to keep going” — not loudly, not heroically, but as someone who knows the weight of every step.
What struck me most is that your piece isn’t about triumph — it’s about clarity.
About that strange, quiet moment when emptiness stops being an enemy and becomes the space where your own voice can finally be heard.
Thank you for that kind of truth. It holds.
Thank you for this, Lintara. You named something important — that inner sway between being crushed and choosing to keep going. Recently, my life has been heavy on every front, and the poem came right out of that pressure. Not a collapse, but the moment where clarity cuts through the noise and I remember I’m still moving, even under the weight. I appreciate you seeing that shift.💜
I really enjoyed that. It flowed well and felt uplifting and had a positive ending.
Thanks Gary! Glad it found you today💜
I’ve been gone six weeks and this is the first poem I read on my return. I am not disappointed. It resonated so strongly. Thank you as always for sharing. 💚
Thanks for your comment, Kristin. Have definitely missed you on here. I've been away for a bit myself. Trying to get back on my horse. Hope to chat soon 💜
Liora, I felt this piece perfectly encapsulated the Substack experience, especially lines like:
"So excited
to share what I’d done;
hoping for space to be.
Only to find
half-hearted side-eye"
Thanks so much for reading and responding, Klar. I think we all get in our own heads too much as it is. It doesn't surprise me that line resonated; I think we all feel it at times. It helps to know we're not alone in that 💜
Thank you for this heartfelt piece. It spoke deeply and directly to me!
Thank you for letting me know, Rania! It means a lot to me that this touched you 💜
Your piece meets me exactly where I am. I love the strength in your ending, the choice to believe in yourself. I know that sometimes the outcome won’t be pretty or victorious. Sometimes I’ll write into the void, or try my best and still feel unseen. But even then, speaking to myself with some gentleness still matters. Not because it guarantees success, but because it steadies me while I keep going. Thank you for reminding me that courage doesn’t have to be loud to be real. 😉
This means a lot. I know that feeling of trying your best and still slipping into the shadows. I’m grateful the piece reached you in that space, and honestly, your comment steadied me right back. 💜
I feel this at my core. I often spiral about the same things. Working hard to get nothing but judgment and failure. But I cannot spiral. I have to believe in myself or else nobody will
Love your writing as always
While I hate that you go through this, I’m also glad that it resonated with you. So many times your words have done the same for me, Elijah. 💜
I appreciate it liora. Your words as well 💕
💜