This morning began quietly, before the sun fully rose.
There was something steady in the routine, something grounding.
But the world outside felt different.
A near miss. A messy space.
Moments that felt rushed, slightly off, a little overwhelming.
Yet, the day did not stay heavy.
There were small kindnesses.
A drink given. A seat shared.
Soft conversations that made the journey feel less lonely.
There were also moments that stung a little.
A harsh tone. A look. A feeling of being unseen.
But instead of...

I woke before the sun,
in a house already moving.
The sound of water,
of chores already begun,
of expectations carried in the air
before I could even fully breathe.
I moved through the morning
like a quiet routine
brush, fold, pack, bathe, eat
trying to do everything right
before the day could question me.
But even small decisions
became something to be measured.
So I stepped out
into a world already awake.
A bus ride
a sudden hit at the side
a moment of shock
then stillness again
I am safe, I reminded myself
...

This morning began with small acts of care.
I woke up, prepared my medicine, brushed my teeth, and tried to move gently into the day. Even the little things felt like effort, but I still showed up for myself.
There were moments that felt uncomfortable.
The bus ride was uneasy, with someone coughing beside me. I walked through crowded spaces, searched for a simple watch repair, and felt watched, rushed, and slightly out of place. Still, I found my way. Step by step.
At home, words were heavier.
Not...