When the Bot Becomes Your Best Friend: AI, Validation, and the Risk of Losing the Real Thing
AI can feel safer than people — instant feedback, no judgment. But when a bot becomes our go-to for comfort and advice, our real-world connection muscles atrophy. This piece unpacks the benefits, the risks, and a better way to use AI without losing the human skills that make life work.
Single, Secure, and a Little Bit Scared
You’ve built a life you genuinely love — quiet, content, full of meaning. But what happens when the thought of letting someone in feels more like a threat than a thrill? In this honest reflection, we explore the quiet joys (and quiet fears) of thriving alone, and why real connection doesn’t have to cost your peace.
Still Saying It: Five More Voices That Speak the Quiet Truth
Our community responded powerfully to part one, so we’re continuing the conversation. These five new quotes don’t flinch — they speak to queer longing, healing, and truth-telling with beauty, pain and quiet pride.
How to Spot Manipulation (and Stay Grounded) This Election Season
Ever been accused of being the problem after you called one out? That might be DARVO — a psychological manipulation tactic where abusers deny, attack, and reverse the roles of victim and offender. As the election heats up, so does the emotional warfare. Here's how to spot it, stop it, and protect your peace — especially if you're queer.
Reclaiming Solitude: How Being Alone Helped Me Find Connection Again
We often confuse solitude with loneliness — and run from both. But in a noisy, hyperconnected world, learning to sit in silence might just be the key to feeling truly seen. This piece explores how stepping back from distraction, performance, and constant connection helped me rediscover a deeper sense of self — and, unexpectedly, build more meaningful relationships.
The 'Ick' Factor: What It Says About Us (and Whether We Can Overcome It)
We’ve all felt it—that sudden, gut-level repulsion that turns attraction into absolute no-go territory. But is the ick really about the other person, or does it say more about us? Maybe it’s not just a dealbreaker but a mirror, reflecting our own fears, expectations, and discomfort with intimacy. What if we could move past it?