#selfexpressionchallenge

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03/08/18. 23:53. Day 215. Worth. Respect can't be a two way street if you haven’t figured out how to respect yourself.

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21/07/18. 22:25. Day 202. Slumber. Daisiieeess. Two jobs today so enjoy the flowers.

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10/03/18. 23:37. Day 69. Disappear. Bad day today. Things got to me. On the + side: rolling out the uke songs 🎶 Full lyrics: "There's a knot in my throat, red eyes don't go away lately. And I'm being told that I'm stronger than you, baby. But I don't feel strong at all. And there's a knot in my back, tied by ropes that've tried to carry things they shouldn't have; things that are too heavy. And I'm spreading myself thin. Wish these things had never been. Maybe my complexion's meant to be red - but maybe if I smile I can pretend that things will be okay and problems go away."

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14/03/18. 20:42. Day 73. Space vs DNA. “Be curious. However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do to succeed at.” - Stephen Hawking. Such an inspirational scientist, who proved there is always something to live for. Pictures taken from National Geographic. Collage of the galaxy compared to a DNA model. Everything is the same. When I realize this it helps me see the smallness of my perspective, but also the greatness of possibilities in my actions. It’s up to each of us to make a difference.

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02/02/18. 22:23. Day 33. Swim. "Morning. You set foot on the shore and glance at the vast ocean ahead. You dip your little toes in... For some it's cold, for others warm. Those around you are diving in A few getting taught to swim. You see splashes past the shallow waters Flailing arms and shrieks and cries Your feet take you to them Stepping first Then paddling You somehow reach them, below the surface now. You cannot see They cannot breathe Not enough strength in your frail teenage arms to hold you both afloat-- It's sink or swim. Upon the horizon lies a storm But the safety of the coast is no longer in sight. The heads of other humans (other lives who have tried without succeeding and loved and lost and ) pinpricks in front of you. You start toward them because you must not because you want to. A strong swimmer you become Life's ocean cannot pull you under Whether storm or riptide, tsunami or quicksand: You escape the tragedies those around you fail at. For isn't everything a fine line that either divides or unites us? Some luckier, or rather richer, folk pass you on boats, gliding towards the foreseeable end. What you are well aware of is they will get there faster, but have less stories to tell. What of the people that did not get a teacher, a guiding hand to set them afloat? The sea of life is reckless, but it is also calm. And beautiful. Days when the morning sky is reflected in the slate-like pan of its mirror image reflection. Nights when the stars are so bright you can see the Milky Way. And float like you're an astronaut. And breathe. Those are the moments I strive for. You either sink or swim There's no such thing as just managing to keep afloat. We will all sink Some of us will drown Those are our destinies. We each get an equal choice how well and how fast and how long we will swim." -Archer

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06/01/18. 21:16. Day 6. Nurture. Poem based on a memory, in death comes new life.

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28/08/18. (late). Day 239. I'm Better Than That.

Original song "Twenty Four" by St South, full lyrics:

Wasn’t one to walk home alone

Anything to get you off my phone

Don’t apologise unless you mean it

If it’s just to clear a conscious, I don’t wanna hear it ‘cause

I’m better than that

I’m better than that

I’m better than everything you said

I’m better than that

I’m better than that

I’m better than everything you said

I’m not one to drink on my own

Don’t need courage, no reason to roam

Scared enough feeling sober you know

Scared enough that you drink when you’re low

And then you made me cry on the train

Don’t need to hide tears in the rain

Twenty four and no birthday was great;

rubbed my back after saying you hated me

but I don’t hate her, I’m just trying to save her

but

I’m better than that

I’m better than that

I’m better than everything you said

I’m better than that

I’m better than that

I’m better than everything you said

I’m waiting to feel wanted over needed

Still wanting you to love me and mean it

But you’re happy, to lose me

so delete my fucking caller ID 'cause

I’m better than that

I’m better than that

I’m better than everything you said

I’m better than that

I’m better than that

I’m better than everything you said

I’m better than that

I’m better than that

I’m better than everything you said

I’m better than that

I’m better than that

I’m better than everything you fucking said

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27/08/18. 22:09. Day 238. Strength.