With Love, Atreidus

Hey there, Before I say anything else, a little credit where it’s due — this one began with a conversation. One of those where a friend says something that lingers. This post wouldn’t exist without her — her words, her honesty, her ability to hold up a mirror without making it hurt. So, a friend once told me I was being selfish. And not in a dramatic, scream-across-the-room kind of way. She just said it quietly, calmly, like she’d thought about it for a while and had finally made peace with it. “You lied,” she said. “Because you didn’t want to lose me.” And yeah, I did. Not a huge, universe-shaking lie. Just the kind you tell when the truth feels too risky. The kind where you convince yourself you’re doing the right thing, when in reality, you’re just protecting your own heart. And that got me thinking — what if all love is selfish? I mean, seriously. Why do we fall in love with someone? Because they make us happy. They get our weird jokes. They look at us like we matter. They make exi...

Hey there, Think about when you really care about something, like a little plant someone gave you. It’s a small thing, but it feels important. You want it to grow, to be healthy. You want to do everything right for it. So, you give it water. Every day, maybe even twice. You want to make sure it has enough. You want it to know you’re looking after it. You want to see it happy and green. But then, you start to notice something. The leaves aren’t reaching up anymore. They’re kind of hanging down, and the color isn’t as bright. You keep watering, thinking it must be thirsty. You’re trying so hard. And then, someone gently tells you that sometimes, too much water can actually hurt. That the roots can’t breathe. That even though you mean well, you might be giving too much.  It makes you think about when you love someone. Really love them. You want to give them everything you have. Your time, your thoughts, your heart. You want them to feel safe and loved. You want to be there for them, a...

Hey there, So, you know how some people are super outgoing, the life of every party? And then there are the introverts, happy with a book and a can of coke? Well, there's this secret third category, the ambiverts. And let me tell you, these guys, we guys (because yes, I'm one of them, spoiler alert!), we have a superpower when it comes to, well, falling in love. And maybe a super-problem too. Think about it. We like people, we genuinely do. We can have those deep, meaningful conversations like an introvert, really connecting with someone. But we also have that bit of extrovert in us that allows us to put ourselves out there, to actually meet people in the first place. It's like having the best of both worlds, right? Wrong. So, so wrong. See, our ability to connect on different levels, that's the fuel for the love train. We can bond over shared interests in a quiet corner, or we can laugh our heads off at a crowded gathering. We observe, we listen, and we genuinely car...

Hey there,  I know, I know. I usually talk about the grand love stories, the ones that make you believe in destiny and yellow umbrellas. But today, we're talking about the other side of that coin – the letting go. Because recently, a buddy of mine asked me, "How do you forget someone you loved? How do you move on when it feels like a part of your own story is being ripped out?" And you know what? That hit me right in the gut. I've been there.  Let's be honest, moving on isn't some clean break, like ripping off a Band-Aid. It's more like slowly peeling away layers, each one revealing a new ache, a fresh reminder of what you've lost. You'll have days where you feel like you're finally over it, and then a song will randomly start playing on Spotify, or you'll walk past your favourite cafe, and BAM, you're right back there. But here's the thing, my friend. You don't forget .  So, yeah, it's tough. It sucks. And anyone who tells ...

Hey there,  So, let's talk about those "last times." You know, those moments that slip away quietly, leaving you with a mix of emotions and a sudden realization that life is this crazy, unpredictable journey. Remember the day your dad picked you up? His arms wrapped around you, making you feel invincible. It was a simple act, but little did you know it would be the last time he'd lift you that way. Life moves fast, and sometimes we don't notice the last pages turning until the chapter's closed. And your best friend – the one you shared everything with. The last time you hung out, laughed till your stomach hurt, and thought the good times would last forever. But life has this funny way of changing the script when you least expect it. That last time became a memory you hold onto, a snapshot of laughter that echoes in your heart. Nights with roommates were like a sitcom, full of shared dinners and inside jokes. That night you all went out felt like any other, but...

Hey there, Let's talk about something that often makes us worry – the fear of losing someone we love, and the even scarier question – do they feel the same way about us? Imagine this scenario: You've got a friend, a real close one. The kind of friend you'd drop everything for, the person whose happiness means the world to you. But here's the kicker – you start to wonder if they'd do the same for you. Do they stay awake at night, tossing and turning, worrying about a world without you in it? It's a real punch in the gut, isn't it? You invest so much of yourself – your time, your heart, your soul – into these relationships, and then, out of nowhere, the fear creeps in. You start questioning the depth of their feelings, whether they'd miss you as much as you'd miss them. The thing is, you can never truly get inside someone else's head or heart. You can't decipher the complex web of their emotions. And that's where the insecurity kicks in. Yo...