Hanif Ullah
Bio
I love to write. Check me out in the many places where I pop up:
Stories (35)
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"The Man Who Sold Sunsets"
They said he was just an old man with a strange smile and a box full of light, but to me, he was magic. I first saw him by the boardwalk, just as the sun was dipping below the ocean, painting the sky in soft orange and pink. People were walking by with their ice creams and phones, not noticing him, but I stopped because I saw something strange—he was holding a small glass jar, and inside it glowed with the exact colors of that sunset. I thought it was just a trick, maybe a toy with lights, but then he looked at me and said, “Would you like to keep tonight’s sunset?”
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Fiction
The Version of Me You'll Never Know
You’ll never know the version of me that laughed without hesitation, the one who danced barefoot in the kitchen at midnight to songs no one else liked but I played on repeat anyway, not caring who heard. You’ll never know the way my eyes used to light up when someone simply remembered my favorite color, or the way I used to cry during movies—not because they were sad, but because I felt everything so deeply, every scene, every silence. That version of me believed in love letters and second chances, in healing through words and kindness that didn’t need to be earned. She was gentle and naïve, trusting the wrong people but still hopeful they’d prove her right. She gave more than she ever received and smiled even when her heart cracked quietly. You’ll never meet the girl who stayed up all night just to text her best friend through heartbreak, who never hung up the phone first, who kept screenshots of happy messages like they were treasure. You won’t know the girl who used to keep a dream journal, who believed signs from the universe were real and that everything happened for a reason. That version of me was soft in a world that didn’t reward softness. She broke slowly—one betrayal, one silence, one goodbye at a time. But she kept loving anyway. Until one day, she couldn’t. One day, she woke up and didn’t recognize her own face in the mirror—not because it had changed, but because her spirit had. You’ll never know how long I stood there, brushing my hair and pretending everything was fine, when inside I was mourning the girl I used to be. That version of me wrote poems and never shared them, took photos of sunsets and whispered thank you to the sky. She still believed people meant what they said, that if someone said “forever,” they meant it. But “forever” was just a word, and words don’t keep promises. You’ll never know how I slowly built my walls, how every kind gesture now feels like manipulation, how compliments make me suspicious, how silence feels safer than vulnerability. You’ll never see the way I flinch when people raise their voice, even in laughter, because once upon a time, yelling didn’t stop at words. You won’t understand why I overthink every sentence I send or why I apologize too much, even when I’ve done nothing wrong. You’ll never meet the version of me that trusted people with her whole heart and expected the best in return. That girl died quietly, with no funeral. Just a quiet resignation that the world wasn’t what she hoped it would be. What’s left is someone stronger, colder, sharper. Someone who doesn’t dream as much but gets more done. Someone who doesn’t cry in movies but notices every word. I’ve become someone who listens more than she speaks, who hides her softness under sarcasm and her kindness behind caution. And yet, somewhere deep inside, I still mourn her. The version of me you’ll never know. The version of me who loved without fear, who forgave without limits, who smiled like the world was good. She’s gone, but sometimes, when no one’s watching, I still catch a glimpse of her in the mirror, whispering that maybe—just maybe—it’s okay to be her again someday.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Motivation
People in the Happiest Relationships Do 5 Things During Weekdays—That Most Neglect
When Sarah and Omar celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary, their friends were in awe. Not because they had stayed together—many couples did that—but because they still looked at each other like they were falling in love for the first time.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Fiction
The Health Benefits of Carrot Juice—Plus How It Compares to Whole Carrots
Carrots have long held a spot in the pantheon of healthy foods. Crunchy, sweet, and vibrant in color, they’re a staple in salads, soups, and school lunchboxes. But in recent years, carrot juice has surged in popularity, hailed as a powerful health tonic loaded with nutrients. Whether you’re sipping it fresh at a juice bar or blending it into your morning smoothie, carrot juice seems to promise a shortcut to glowing skin, improved eyesight, and better overall health.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Lifehack
The Morning Routine That Changed My Life
I used to be the kind of person who hit the snooze button at least five times before dragging myself out of bed. My mornings were a blur of rushing, skipping breakfast, and mentally preparing myself to just “get through the day.” Life felt like a loop—wake up tired, rush through tasks, feel exhausted by noon, then fall asleep feeling unfulfilled. But everything changed when I decided to take control of my mornings.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Motivation
Kisses in the Dark, Promises in the Morning
It was always midnight when he arrived. Wrapped in silence, carrying the weight of the world in his eyes. He never knocked. She always left the door slightly open, like an invitation to the things they never said out loud.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Fiction
The Clockmaker’s Secret
The air in the clock shop smelled of old wood, brass, and forgotten time. When Eliza stepped inside, the faint ticking of hundreds of clocks surrounded her like whispers from the past. It had been years since she visited her grandfather’s shop—"Westbridge Timepieces", the oldest in the village.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Fiction
"The Children in the Woods Remember Everything… Even the Future"
The first time I saw them, I thought they were just ordinary kids playing in the woods behind my grandmother’s cottage. Five of them, all between eight and twelve, huddled in a circle beneath the gnarled oak tree that locals called *"The Watcher."* But there was something wrong—they didn’t laugh, didn’t run around, didn’t even speak. They just… *stared*.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Horror
Why I write in the middle of the Night
Because silence has a language only the heart understands I never meant to become a midnight writer. In fact, for most of my life, I feared the night. It held too many shadows, too many memories that scratched at the door of my mind when the world quieted down. But over time, I learned that silence is not an enemy — it’s an invitation. And now, when the world sleeps, I wake up to write.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Writers
Why we love people who hurt Us
He forgot my birthday, dismissed my feelings, and belittled my dreams—but I stayed. I stayed when he made me feel like I wasn’t enough. I stayed when the silence was louder than his apologies. I stayed through the emotional rollercoaster that left me exhausted and empty. I didn’t stay because I enjoyed the pain. I stayed because something deep inside me confused that pain with love. And I know I’m not alone. Many of us find ourselves emotionally attached to people who damage us the most. It’s not because we’re weak or foolish. It’s because love, when built on broken foundations, doesn’t always feel safe or warm. Sometimes, it feels like anxiety, obsession, and fear—especially if that’s what we grew up believing love looked like. If your childhood taught you that love comes with conditions, that affection is earned, and that being ignored means “try harder,” you carry those lessons into adulthood. That’s how you find yourself clinging to people who make you feel unworthy—because on some subconscious level, that chaos feels familiar. The brain isn’t always logical. It clings to patterns, even when they’re harmful. Every time a toxic partner pulls away and then returns, your brain rewards you with a surge of dopamine—the same chemical responsible for addiction. That emotional high becomes addictive. You chase it, even though it’s hurting you. You begin to romanticize small gestures and ignore harmful behavior. You tell yourself, “They’re just going through something” or “They didn’t mean it.” You find reasons to stay, even when the pain outweighs the joy. This isn’t just about love. It’s about survival. When we fear being alone, we tolerate more than we should. We convince ourselves that a little bit of love is better than none at all. We hold on to potential instead of accepting reality. But here’s the truth: real love doesn’t confuse you. It doesn’t make you anxious or afraid. It doesn’t disappear when you need it most. Real love is consistent, calm, and kind. Breaking free from someone who hurts you is not easy. It takes awareness, courage, and a deep belief that you deserve better. You must recognize the patterns, confront your fears, and set boundaries that protect your peace. You must unlearn the idea that love is earned through pain. Healing means understanding your past, forgiving yourself, and building a new definition of love—one rooted in respect and safety. Letting go might break your heart, but holding on might break your spirit. If you’re in love with someone who continuously hurts you, take a step back and ask yourself: Is this what I want love to feel like? Would I want someone I care about to go through this? The answers might be hard to face, but they will guide you toward freedom. You are not crazy for loving them. You’re human. You wanted connection, comfort, and care. But you don’t have to bleed to feel love. You don’t have to shrink yourself to be chosen. You are worthy of a love that doesn’t hurt. A love that holds you gently, listens deeply, and shows up consistently. To those who are still stuck in the cycle—know this: walking away is not weakness. It is strength. It is the first step toward healing. Sometimes the bravest thing you’ll ever do is leave someone you still love. And that’s okay. Your peace is worth more than temporary affection. Your future is brighter than this pain. And your heart will thank you when it finally beats for someone who doesn't break it. You deserve to be loved in ways that don’t make you doubt your worth. You deserve safety, not survival. And the moment you choose yourself over someone who hurts you, your real healing begins.
By Hanif Ullah 6 months ago in Psyche
