The image of refusing to strike the match — not because you don’t have one, but because you’re choosing not to — says a lot about agency. You’re not afraid of light. You’re interrogating timing. That’s different.
What really stood out to me was the tension between wanting something and shrinking from it once it’s within reach. That feels deeply human. We chase clarity, love, recognition — and then hesitate when it demands exposure.
I’m curious — do you see the darkness here as protection, preparation, or quiet resistance against pressure to “arrive” too quickly?
Thanks for reading mate! I actually see it as defiance against our nature! I can sit in the dark, refusing to light the candle, whilst every part of me wants to see!
There’s something honest in that image — sitting in the dark while knowing full well you could light the candle. I think we all feel that tension at times. It’s almost like the struggle isn’t ignorance, but resistance.
What do you think keeps us seated there — fear of what we’ll see once the light’s on, or something else?
Really appreciate how you shaped this, especially, “One might say that this is yet another woe of the human condition: to seek and be scared once that which is sought is found.” That what we seek is often not what we think it is, an invitation into being with, rather than projecting what we think we want.
excuse me?? Bruhh?? sometimes i just know you’re going to come up with something that flashes our brains with wisdom but every time i’m still like ‘WOW’
I love this metaphor because it flips the usual narrative. We’re always told that fear is about not pursuing what we want. But you’re pointing to something subtler, the fear that arrives after attainment. The match isn’t scary until it works.
🫡🫡🫡 no notes, iconic as always (also have you ever read Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle? there’s a killer in it whose whole schtick is that he asks you for a light and if you can’t supply a match/lighter, he kills you. and this reminded me of that)
At my age, after a lot of mistakes and rushed decisions and regrets, I’ve learned that not lighting the match can be power, not fear. The choice to move toward something only when you’re ready? That’s not darkness. That’s control. Thanks for sharing!
I feel so called out by this, because this is *exactly* me. In love with this style you’ve grown into - I feel like I’m right there with you, as if you’re frantically hopping about the place while I can’t get a word in edge ways (GLADLY, might I add) 🤍
I know that this is symbolic, but it's actually something I've started to do in my life. When I come home in the evening and it's dark, I sit in the couch for a bit without turning on the light. I have yet to figure out why I started doing this and why it's comforting. I just like to sit in the dark and think about the day for a bit. Maybe that's my way of protesting (or maybe escaping), being afraid to reach my desires and preferring the honest and conscious way by staying in the dark.
Amazing metaphor and amazing writing by the way, thank you for sharing it!
This is such a compelling metaphor.
The image of refusing to strike the match — not because you don’t have one, but because you’re choosing not to — says a lot about agency. You’re not afraid of light. You’re interrogating timing. That’s different.
What really stood out to me was the tension between wanting something and shrinking from it once it’s within reach. That feels deeply human. We chase clarity, love, recognition — and then hesitate when it demands exposure.
I’m curious — do you see the darkness here as protection, preparation, or quiet resistance against pressure to “arrive” too quickly?
Thanks for reading mate! I actually see it as defiance against our nature! I can sit in the dark, refusing to light the candle, whilst every part of me wants to see!
There’s something honest in that image — sitting in the dark while knowing full well you could light the candle. I think we all feel that tension at times. It’s almost like the struggle isn’t ignorance, but resistance.
What do you think keeps us seated there — fear of what we’ll see once the light’s on, or something else?
Really appreciate how you shaped this, especially, “One might say that this is yet another woe of the human condition: to seek and be scared once that which is sought is found.” That what we seek is often not what we think it is, an invitation into being with, rather than projecting what we think we want.
I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for reading!!!
As a person who makes candles for a living, I don’t like this post.
As a person who deeply appreciates facing the darkness, I like this post.
Thank you for always showing up 🫶
excuse me?? Bruhh?? sometimes i just know you’re going to come up with something that flashes our brains with wisdom but every time i’m still like ‘WOW’
thanks for enlightening us!!
You’re wayyyy too kind! Thank you!
I would say this is creative writing 🤯
You're a very good writer 🥳💯
Thank you so much!!!
I love this metaphor because it flips the usual narrative. We’re always told that fear is about not pursuing what we want. But you’re pointing to something subtler, the fear that arrives after attainment. The match isn’t scary until it works.
Yes! I’m glad you got it!!!
🫡🫡🫡 no notes, iconic as always (also have you ever read Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle? there’s a killer in it whose whole schtick is that he asks you for a light and if you can’t supply a match/lighter, he kills you. and this reminded me of that)
Thank you! And no, I haven’t! It sounds familiar though? I’ll need to check it out!
At my age, after a lot of mistakes and rushed decisions and regrets, I’ve learned that not lighting the match can be power, not fear. The choice to move toward something only when you’re ready? That’s not darkness. That’s control. Thanks for sharing!
Love that! Thank you for taking the time to read my work!
I feel so called out by this, because this is *exactly* me. In love with this style you’ve grown into - I feel like I’m right there with you, as if you’re frantically hopping about the place while I can’t get a word in edge ways (GLADLY, might I add) 🤍
I’m so glad you could relate Georgia! I’ll let you talk next time 😭🫶
No, silly! I’ll simply sit, mouth agape, in total awe 🤍
😭🫶
I know that this is symbolic, but it's actually something I've started to do in my life. When I come home in the evening and it's dark, I sit in the couch for a bit without turning on the light. I have yet to figure out why I started doing this and why it's comforting. I just like to sit in the dark and think about the day for a bit. Maybe that's my way of protesting (or maybe escaping), being afraid to reach my desires and preferring the honest and conscious way by staying in the dark.
Amazing metaphor and amazing writing by the way, thank you for sharing it!
I’m glad you could relate to this piece! Thank you for taking the time to read it 🫶
give my brain a few business days to come up with a response 😭 (incredible <3)
Thank you Dayana!!! 😭🫶
thank you for letting me sit next to you in the dark for a bit! i feel enlightened and lighter
Anytime dearest Cherrydawg 🫡
You've broken my brain (complimentary)
It’s honest work 🫡
This is lovely and deep
I’m so glad you liked it!
This is such a beautiful read , I felt a lot while reading it took me through a whole journey
I like it