August 31st, 2017

I took this photo on the night of August 31st, 2017, just before I moved out of my apartment in Boston, MA.

Two relationships, two jobs, and two roommates passed in this apartment. I shaved my hair on my own in the bathroom of this apartment for the first time. I went back to my religion on my own for the first time. I had a white Turkish Angora cat for the first time in this apartment.

2017 was the year I would have graduated with a degree that I did not want had I chosen to stay safe. This is where I faced the consequences as a result of deciding not to stay safe. I laughed. I cried.

This photo is a reminder that I chose my life.