Changing with the Tides Quotes

“i am sitting on the bus, on my way to the store. the girl next to me sneezes. i say bless you and she doesn’t say anything back and i wonder if it’s because i said it too quietly or because she thinks i’m weird for talking to a stranger. the bus slows as it arrives at my stop and i stand too soon, stumbling to catch myself, praying i won’t fall. i hear two boys laughing and i wonder if they are laughing at me. i say thank you to the driver and he doesn’t say anything back and i wonder if it’s because i said it too quietly or because he thinks i’m weird for thanking him. i am walking along the side of the road, on my way to the store. earbuds in. head down. counting the lines in the pavement as i walk. i accidentally make eye contact with a girl passing by so i smile. she doesn’t smile back and i wonder if it’s because i smiled too softly or because i am invisible. (god, i hope i am invisible.)”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“life’s purpose: there is nothing more powerful than you. you hold the key to the universe and choose not to share what’s behind the door. you are the fuel that powers sleepless nights and the unanswered question on everyone’s mind. maybe one day you will reveal the answer, but i prefer not knowing. i prefer to wonder.”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“every conversation i have becomes your new favorite song and you play it on repeat, only pressing pause once i’ve analyzed every word. (you’ve made me fear the sound of my own voice.)”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“to the ones with regrets:
our mistakes shape us.
so we must learn to
embrace them
because they are reminders of
who we were,
who we are,
and who we can be.”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“if the sun can wake up
every morning and
warm the earth,
so can
i.”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“the one i pushed away:
when it rained today,
i thought of you,
a little more than
i usually do.
and i wished as waterdrops
settled onto my skin
that i could go back in time
and just let you in.”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“one morning
you will open your eyes
and know it will be a good day
without having prayed for it
the night before.”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“i chase storms
without fear because
i know the
dark clouds
will eventually lead to
blue skies.”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“to the one i envy:
i pretend you’re perfect, though recently
i discovered
you’re not.
you see, i have spent so
much time wanting to be you
that it hurts to say
i’ve changed my mind.
(because there are
pieces of me
that i would
really miss.)”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides

“she pulled herself
from the darkness
because she saw
a sliver of sunrise
and it reminded her
of the warm days”
― Shelby Leigh, Changing with the Tides