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I wrote my first poem in fifth grade and haven't stopped since. As it has been famously said, 'I don’t write poetry; poetry writes me.' Writing has not been a luxury for me; it has been a necessity that keeps me sane. Pouring my emotions onto paper comes as naturally to me as breathing. A degree in Journalism from Christ was just the cherry on top. Writing long essays as part of UPSC preparation or term papers as a JNU student never felt like a burden to me; in fact, it was therapeutic to type 2,000 words in one go. Interning as a reporter with The Indian Express taught me how asking the right questions can lead to crisp and engaging pieces. Emotionally, I have keenly observed and experienced inconsistencies in relationships—both in my own life and around me while growing up. I have hopped from relationship to relationship, be it long-distance or unrequited, toxic or abusive, live-in or casual. To heal from the pain and heartache of those experiences, as well as the rough marriage of my parents, I would post long pieces on Instagram. These posts became both a venting space and the start of my journey toward self-love. Some people started relating to my writing and would tell me, 'You should get paid for this!' So, here I am. I found my medium to release overwhelming feelings and the lessons I’ve learned, getting them out of my system