Sophia Writes

When the watch my mom gave me slipped from my hands and shattered on the floor, the first thing I noticed was the time frozen at 12:34. It felt almost intentional, too orderly to be random. My instinct was to read it as a warning, that I was running out of time, that I had waited too long to become the person I once imagined I would be. When I told a close friend, they offered a different perspective: that this wasn’t an ending, but a beginning. I found myself drawn to that interpretation, not because it was comforting, but because it suggested that change doesn’t arrive as a deadline; it comes as a decision. Change feels less terrifying when it sounds like an invitation rather than a warning. What stayed with me most was that the watch eventually began working again. Time hadn’t stopped; it had only paused. I realized I may have mistaken urgency for doom, assuming that being behind meant being done. Maybe time isn’t something I’m losing, but something I’m being asked to use more delib...

“I am altogether certain that I would not have done it alone. Perhaps then what I truly loved was the companionship of those with whom I did it,” writes St. Augustine, reflecting on the act of stealing fruit. A close friend recently shared this quote with me because of how closely it connects to my own life. Augustine is not simply confessing to theft; he is admitting that the real temptation was not the fruit itself, but the feeling of belonging. This speaks to how easily people can lose themselves in the desire to fit in. People often become so focused on being accepted or trying to be someone they are not that they slowly lose sight of who they truly are. We lose what matters to us and forget the values we once stood by. We convince ourselves that the friendship is worth it, that engaging in harmful behavior is acceptable as long as we are not alone. But it isn’t. Being true to yourself holding onto what makes you you is far more important. The hardest part is figuring that out on ...

Window to the Soul  Music is the gateway to the soul. For many people, it is one of the most important aspects of life, shaping us and leaving a lasting impact. In one of my classes, we read Sonny’s Blues, and one of the main themes was how music brings people together. Concerts, for example, are among the most special experiences, surrounded by people of all ages, ethnicities, and genders who share a love of music. It’s a universal force that connects us. One of the best ways to get to know someone is to understand their taste in music. Music evokes a wide range of emotions and heightens our feelings. Listening to a sad song can be as impactful as it was for the artist who created it. I find comfort in break-up songs, not necessarily because I am going through a break-up, but because the emotion behind the music resonates with my own experiences. I dislike it when people judge others’ music tastes because music is subjective. Everyone experiences it differently. I try to listen to...

Sugar or Salt  It's hard to tell the difference between the two  One, you will spit right out  And the other, you will crave for more  The hardest part is picking out the Sugar  And not the Salt, cause of the Taste Too much Sugar is bad, but  I am blinded by the taste of Sugar to acknowledge that  We spend our entire lives looking for the Sugar  But when we run into the Salt  We immediately run away  We easily forget that Salt is good for us  And not Sugar.  “Sugar or Salt” uses the contrast between sugar and salt as an extended metaphor for pleasure versus nourishment. What feels good versus what is actually good. From the opening line, “It’s hard to tell the difference between the two,” the poem establishes confusion and deception, suggesting that in life, and especially in relationships or personal choices, things that appear similar on the surface can lead to vastly different outcomes. Sugar represents instant gratification...

“Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” by Sextus Propertius is a quote that people have romanticized over time, but I’ve come to hate it. As time has passed, I’ve come to realize why I dislike it. It sounds sweet, but in practice, people use it as an excuse to justify emotional distance and abandonment.  I believe that people use the quote as a reason to leave others, to see if “ they are truly meant to be in their life ,” which I think is a flawed tactic. It suggests that the person was never truly appreciated during the time they were together. Love is not grown through distance but through effort; people shouldn’t have to be absent to be appreciated. If it takes losing someone to realize their value and worth, then you did not deserve them in the first place.  This quote is often used as an excuse to emotionally abandon someone. Love should be shown when it matters, not in its absence. This only pertains to friendships and relationships, because being in a relationship wit...

Butterflies: More than just pretty wings Butterflies have always been a staple in my life. They’re my favorite animal because to me, they are the freest creatures in the world. My favorite butterfly is the Painted Lady. Why? Because she tried to look like the Monarch—beautiful, admired, but she wasn’t. And that used to make me sad. It reminded me of people, how we often try to look like others because we think that’s what beauty is, instead of embracing who we truly are. That’s why the Painted Lady deserves to be someone’s favorite. She deserves love, too. Butterflies also don’t have pain receptors; they live without physical pain. And sometimes I think, wouldn’t life be easier for humans if we didn’t feel pain either? When I was little, I believed butterflies were messengers, little signs from someone trying to reach me. My older brother also likes this idea, as one day I was on the phone with him and he saw a butterfly and said it was his friend who passed away. That was beautiful ...

    I turned 18 this past week. I am no longer a child, and that honestly makes me sad. When I was little, I was also scared of having Birthday parties because I feared that people would not show up and that I would be alone on my birthday, but as I have grown, I have enjoyed my Birthdays and Birthday parties more and more.  So on my big 18, I originally was going to do something small, but as I was lying down in my bed, I realized that I should do something because I might not get to do something some time again. It was getting close to the week that I could do something, so I had to figure out the details right then and there. I looked up places to go to and I was getting nothing, so I went to my trusted friend (chatgbt) and asked for cute restaurants for birthdays, and I was recommended La Parisienne French Bistro, which was so pretty, so I invited my friends and decided to have it there. I sent out my party text message because no one does invitations throug...