The Strangers Project @strangers-project - Tumblr Blog

“Things I know to be true:

Everything tastes better with butter and sugar.

There is a book for everyone—find it and read it, and read it again.

It is necessary to talk to strangers.

Flowers are inherently beautiful, so are people.

You should look your neighbors in the eye and say good morning.

Life will be way more interesting if you’re a little weird.

You will never finish that TO-DO list.

In a very small space there is a universe.

You are given what you can handle.

In the end we return, the same.

There is no such thing as truth.

What do we know if not everything, and anything at all.

We are all afraid.”

“It’s a lot easier to dislike things about myself in New York. I think it’s all the people. I see a part of myself in every single person I pass. I’m either comparing myself to them or worrying about what they see when they look at me.

Today I wore a sundress for the first time in my life. I’ve been uncomfortable with my body for as long as I can remember so I’ve always worn long pants and shirts that cover me up, even in the summer. I only started wearing shorts for the first time in five years last summer. I always want to dress like other girls, like pretty girls. They make it look really easy. Especially in New York. And today I wore a sundress for the first time in my whole life. And I spent the whole day feeling really conflicted. I was SO excited to finally be dressing girly, but every time another girl walked past me I would look at her and think about how the dress she wore suited her so well and she looked so normal and how I just felt like I looked awkward or mis-shapen.

I ended up going home and changing later in the afternoon.

I don’t know if I’ll keep wearing dresses. I want to. And I know it’s not good or feminist to judge people based on their body. Even myself. But that’s something I’m still working on. I don’t want to be ashamed to take up space.

I don’t know maybe this is stupid.”

“I got my first detention ever this past week. I set alarms on my school’s iPads.

They interrupted other classes.

I’d love to say it was an accident, IT WASN’T.

I’ve had a rough couple of months. Since September my Great Aunt, Great Uncle, Cousin, and Grandfather passed away.

I also broke my arm. Tough luck.

Anyway, I was on the brink of getting upset.

That day, my science teacher was frustrating me. I didn’t add “enough color” to my WRITING assignment. I don’t know how that matters but apparently it does.

I’m a good kid.

I got upset.

I’m not getting my phone and computer taken away for two weeks.

Tough luck. In the screen free time period, I’ve written three stand-up comedy sets.

Who knew consequences could be productive.”

“Dear future me,

Remember this moment. When you know you can’t spend another night awake worrying about everything in life, remember this moment. Remember the music and the sound of conversations, frivolous and deep and be grateful for what you hear. Remember your best friends, who sat in front of you with wide smiles and talked about their dogs and be grateful for the love.

Remember the sun and the wind and the tiny drops of water that brushed across your face and be grateful for the struggles that brought you here. Remember the love you felt thinking about and looking at friends laughing, the boy in the pink shirt brushing his girlfriend’s hear behind her ear and be grateful that there is peace where you are.

Remember that happiness can be found in circumstances and people and in the things that surround you; if only you open your eyes, your heart, and your arms to everything life has to offer. But before everything, remember that the greatest happiness exists inside of you.”

"I’m in love.I’ve finally done it. I’ve fallen in love.- I’m in love with the smell of fresh-cut grass.

- I’m in love with cookie dough. - I’m in love with the ambient noise of a restaurant. - I’m in love with the feeling I get when I listen to a really, really good song. - I’m in love with constellations. - I’m in love with my life.

I am fulfilled. I am complete. Not half of a whole. One whole person in love with life, seeking another whole person in love with life.”

"I'm trying to get this right.

The perfect, poignant, gorgeous memory. The pithy anecdote, the wink and weary smile, the tears, the feeling of being joined and seen.

I've been trying to get it right for so long that I don't know who I am without it.

I'm sad & tired. And my life is also overflowing with joy, connection, love, and magic.

It's a both/and life, I find. We're always feeling all the feelings, the only "right" thing is taking care of those we love, including ourselves. Life is rife with miracles, a reliable magic that overflows in our tears. I used to feel like an alien. I realized over the years that I cared so much, we are all simply waiting to be seen.

I am so grateful."

"When I was 16, all I wanted was a pair of knee-high, lace-up Dr. Marten boots. Instead, I got pregnant. Priorities changed, and while I sometimes looked wistfully at the Docs in the windows of shops while back-to-school shopping for my son, I had no regrets that life as a single mom working for a non-profit made $150 boots far out of my league.

When my son was 18, he took the proceeds from his first paycheck to buy me my best Christmas present ever—a pair of knee-high lace-up Dr Martens. For four years I have walked the world with the soul of my son on my feet.

When he was 20, he told me he was ready to move out. Instead, I left him with the house and the dogs in Colorado and moved to New York City with two suitcases and a backpack to start my Act 2.

Life in NY is giddy, gleeful bliss! Having raised an entire, wonderful person, there's no pressure to be anything but who I am. For the first time, life is 100% on my terms. Freedom is a ridiculous privledge and everyday is well earned joy—40 truly couldn't be any better. Now I can focus just on my mission—to empower people to realize their full potential and make the world a better place. And every day is better than the last..."

"I am only 11 years old and I have not learned a lot but what I have learned is not to be sucked into your phone and live life to the fullest while you still can. It does not matter if you're old, young, transgender, gay, or confused. Live life and love yourself."

"I've been practicing drawing wild flowers lately. I think they are so beautiful, especially when you find them growing in unsuspecting places. When I go on walks I like to pick flowers along the way and then put them in tiny little vases or mail them taped to a postcard. I used to write more letters than I do now. I used to be inspired by little things like flowers on walks or strangers when they laugh. I guess I still am but it somehow feels harder now... harder to take the inspiration and do something with it. I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with my life, but I'm trying to figure out how to be obsessed with the present and not worry about the future. Someone told me once that God is in the past, present, and future (timeless), but the only place that you are with God is in the present. Because we (humans) can't live in the past or the future. I emailed a nonprofit I'm hoping to volunteer with last week. They run urban farms and grow food for the community. I think working there in a garden will help me live more in the moment. Immersed in the work it takes to grow and care for a plant... give it what it needs that day and not worrying that depending on tomorrow it might need something totally different."

"The happiest day of my life began on what seemed like a normal day. My mom was trying to get me up for school and though I was so dramatic trying to get up for the day, i was able to succeed! After I got to school I met up with my friends at the cafeteria. We talked, laughed, and joked around for awhile but then we decided to go. When my mom picked me up from after-school care she was acting strange... but in a good way! When we got to the back steps I saw an oddly large package. I opened it and there lay dog treats, bones, dog bows, dog food... everything you would need for a dog. I thought to myself "Hm... maybe it's just a little prank, well whatever 😐."

But as I walked in I saw him... my little fuzz ball. It was a puppy. The cutest, fuzziest, chubbiest thing I've ever seen I cried happy tears! 😂

And from that day forward I loved my dog who has always been there especially in the darkest times.

I <3 dogs!!!"

"People never expect much from me, but I find that underestimations are a gift. Surprise people.

I am a scientist, a soldier, a four-time rape survivor, a female, and a feminist. I let my past experiences define me—in a good way.

Every day, I am afraid that I will fall back into sadness, that's why I'm here—doing everything I've ever wanted to do before I feel incapable.

I think, sometimes, breathing can be the hardest thing in the world. And no one is alone in that.

To those who underestimate me—fuck you."

"Throughout my lifetime born and raised in NYC, life wasn't bright lights nor bold amazing things to see. I grew up with Asperger's Syndrome. I knew things wouldn't be easy so I had to work harder than the rest to be on top. I cry + try all the time until it got to be too much yet I didn't let it slow me down. After I graduated from special ed school I went to a real college. My fate was sealed after I defied the odds. The first to graduate as a disabled student, also the only grandchild too in my family.

I've had many moments that have defined me. One of them was my first job as a medical assistant at a physical therapy office and receptionist at JCC (Jewish Community Center) where I am part of adaptations (it's for people with disabilities). I also met and married the love of my life there. I can share moments and adventures. I feel that being strong with the knowledge of book + street smarts and how much I've grown as a person learning, defying odds and willing to go beyond. I now can see new things and places to see too. I am a proud New Yorker who has reached her goals but there's more to come."

"We are two women and we both have EATING DISORDERS.

We have been in residential treatment recently and are in an ED program together in the city. We just had dinner (Bagels! Lox! Swiss! Cream Cheese! Avocado!) and Dessert (Chocolate covered strawberries! Cupcakes!) sitting in Washington Square Park.

This is what freedom feels like."

I was born in July of 1987. I was born Broken Hearted so to speak. I had a tiny hole in my heart. At age 7, it got repaired. But my battle of not feeling whole is a constant stuggle. But it does get better. Life gets better.

As a flight attendant you learn that you never know what is going on in your passenger's life. I have had PAX get on the plane last min to rust to another city so they can say goodbye, only to have another PAX not make it in time. Life is short. If you have someone you love or want to make time for, do it. No YOLO. Just do it. Make time.

I play roller derby. I will never think fo myself as a badass.

Stay Humble.

I regret telling someone I loved, that I loved them. Because in the end I lost them."

"I just turned 44 years old. I have no children and I've never been married. This year spirit has called me to do something bigger, braver, bolder with my life. So I've given away almost everything I own, and I purchases a 1994 Chevy GTO van. I've decided to live in my van and travel the country seeking "stories of compassion," for the Earth, animals, and people. I believe that what you focus on persists, so I've decided to focus on the good! There are so many good people, doing good acts and I hope that by highlighting these people, companies, and organizations I can inspire others to be more compassionate as well.

I hope to see you out on the road!!"

"People look at me and say "You must enjoy pain" simply because I'm covered in tattoos. They haven't a single idea what they might be saying. When I think of pain, I think of hospitals... and the numerous visits I've had. The ones that sadly stand out to me are from drinking. The years of abuse that destroyed my organs and nearly took my life a few times. What used to be loads of fun turned into a living nightmare when I lost the ability to function. Temporary blindness, endless excruciating pain that not even prescription painkillers could end. I lost my youth, I destroyed what I was, the happy energetic young boy... everything turned dark. Dependency made me a zombie and looking back, I wish I could have just said no. People say "no regrets" or whatever, in this life, there are many regrets. I can't get back my youth. This would might not be the prettiest place, but one thing is certain, we are not invincible. Pain is a very scary feeling and I would never wish that kind of pain on anybody.

There are moments when I can't look in the mirror because I still see the eyes of that young boy who loved everything around him. I promised to find him. I want him back. Day after day, night after night, I want to find him inside me. Stay strong, whoever might be reading this. Addiction is real, it's everywhere, but I know it can be beat. I'm done drowning."

"I'm a Mormon girl and I actually believe this stuff if you'd believe it. The problem is I have about 2-4 years of life left before I'm "supposed" to get married. Apparently I'm supposed to be with this guy for all eternity... I'm sure it will be fantastic, but I've never been in love before. I've been hiding my belly button my whole life, and one day I'm going to have sex. I can't even picture showing somebody every little bit and piece of me. My mom has never shown any evidence that she goes to the bathroom.

I feel like I still have to be perfect like that. Once I get married, it'll just be harder because I have to hide everything while I'm living with him. Anyway, this is the last time in eternity I'll ever be single. I don't drink, but I'll try to live it up in my own special way!"

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