**The Art of Being Soft**

9:02 AM—Same blazer (yep, still mine), same ripped jeans, same black coffee with oat. Same Ethan, same nod. But today? I walked in and realized—I’m not just wearing this blazer anymore. I live in it.

Because here’s the thing about mastery: it’s not about being bulletproof. It’s about letting yourself be soft anyway.

1. I’m obsessed with vulnerability. That phase where I thought confidence meant never letting anyone see the cracks? Exhausting. The rebellion where I refused to admit I cared? Also exhausting. But this morning, when Ethan asked "You good?" and I answered "Yeah, just tired—midterms are killing me," it didn’t feel like weakness. It felt like trust.

2. My creativity is learning to breathe. That cartoon of Ethan? Still there. Still ridiculous. But today, I noticed someone had added a tiny heart above the dog’s head. And instead of overthinking it, I laughed—actually laughed—and drew a little heart next to it. No meaning. No metaphor. Just… connection.

3. I’m falling in love with imperfection. Liam still didn’t text. Still didn’t ask about the blazer. And instead of pretending it doesn’t sting a little, I let it. Not because I’m not over it, but because I’m human. And humans feel things. Even when they’re mastered the art of moving on.

Ethan handed me my coffee—black, splash of oat—and our fingers brushed. Not a moment, just an accident. But I didn’t pull away. "You good?" he asked. I took a sip and sighed. "Yeah. Just… living." He nodded, like he understood. "Cool."

No walls. No armor. Just me—soft, messy, and okay with it.

And maybe that’s the real art—not in the strength, but in the surrender.

xx Mandy

(P.S. That blazer? Still here. Still mine. Still home.)