Just Live
By Jess Boyes
I had been told that no one would care if I were dead, and the person who told me that, also let me know that they would've happily thrown me off my own balcony, but luckily for me, they stopped themselves from doing it..... well bless their cotton socks! That was good of them, now wasn't it? That was at the end of 2023.
By the time 2024 began, all I thought about initially was being glad to see the back of the last year; thinking like most people do by seeing the New Year as a fresh start. To get back into things that I loved doing; my writing, my love of food (particularly a good quality cheese paired with a top shelf whiskey, vodka or gin), live music, working out, and introducing new things into my life like aerial yoga (if you haven't tried it, it's a hell of a lot of fun).
I found myself erring on the side of caution when 2024 began. I went from being a trusting and loving person to having no trust in anyone what-so-ever and hating pretty much everyone. I kept away for a bit; almost reclusive with the exception of allowing one or two people I knew well in and spending time with them.
But I did, slowly but surely, start to feel better. By the end of the first month, then into second, things were starting to turn around little by little. I had reconnected with one or two old friends, my writing was going well, the cheese, the top shelf spirits, the music, and the yoga were all flowing.
That is until...
Speaking of reconnecting, I had reconnected with someone from many moons ago; back when I was still young; full of hopes and dreams.
Nearly thirty years ago, we had met. We had never dated back then; we kissed in the corner of a night club, that was about it. I don't actually remember how long we knew each other or any such detail from those times, but we did know each other and hung out once or twice. We headed off in different directions and never saw or spoke to each other until he found me decades later on socials. I have a public Insta page to share my Vocal stories on (hmmm, maybe it's the good people at Vocal Media who should be blamed for this, because if I hadn't joined with you lot, I wouldn't have set up the Insta, and.....ahem.....I mean, nothing - sorry. That was a joke - I love you Vocal!) Anyway, he found me on that through mutual friends and started to follow. He had actually been following for a while before I followed back - I had remembered him, but at the time I was busy being threatened to be thrown off my balcony, so I hadn't given him much thought until later. We had started chatting after I liked a post of his about a band that we both liked.
Then the weirdest thing happened. The dude went and asked me out on a date! I don't mean a dating app, chat for five seconds then shag date. I mean an old school, "I'd love to take you out for dinner" no rush or pressure for anything else, let's get to know each other first date - well, shut my mouth! Of course I said yes. I hadn't been on a proper date, date for a long time and he was being really sweet and kind.
The couple of months hanging out were great. He said and did all the right things. We were on the same page. He was contacting me a lot more than I thought he would given that he had asked me about "taking the lead" on catching up etc, but I was good. I definitely wasn't looking for anything serious given my recent past. He was treating me like a Queen, though - something that I hadn't had for a very long time.
Pffft, sucker!
But after those couple of months, he flipped on me; quite unexpectedly and out of the blue, so I did the only thing that I could do at the time, which was to break it off after his refusal to try and, I don't know, talk it out with him or something crazy like that - then write about it here:
I should've gone for the trifecta and wrote about his ghosting me as well, but, meh.
About the Creator
Jess Boyes
From Melbourne, Australia, I love creative writing and food, particularly a good quality cheese or some sort of dairy.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
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More stories from Jess Boyes and writers in Motivation and other communities.
Comments (18)
Congratulations, Jess, on your runner up placing and November top story! I am so sorry for all you have been through but I feel your inner strength in your writing. Sure, the world is full of asshats (love this word and use it regularly) but I think you are meant to shine and will have a much better 2025.
Congratulations on your Runner Up Win - Well Deserved!!
Yayyy! Girl congratulations on winning runner up 💕
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Overcoming life's challenges is how we learn to succeed. Never give up!
So true, life is to live. Live it and forget everything. enjoy the food from Greggs https://greggspricemenu.co.uk/greggs-drinks-menu/
Congratulations on Top Story!!!!
Keep going!! This is very relatable for a variety of reasons. Some of the things you were told...lets just say they are all too familiar. Either we knew the same person or our people had similar minds and behaviors, the latter I'm sure. From 9 years farther down the road -- it does get better. The sun rises again and again, and each time it does you are farther from those words and closer to your true self and to your purpose again. Much love to you, thanks for sharing!
A good read to me ! Well done !! ❤️👏
You've had a challenging year, I'm glad you have the will to move forward, it's a good thing to look back and learn from what happened to us, and yes, even from the people who hurt us.
•–‘bless their cotton socks’ I like your sense of humour even after something as awful as that was being told to you. •– thank you for letting us in on aerial yoga, I haven’t tried it. •– it’s so sad to say that life does that sometimes, one point you’re trusting, the next minute nothing will seem safe to be around or engage with. I know the feeling. •– aww I’m so glad things were going good after that, that you felt like you could trust again. •–ooo a love story 🤭 I’m getting a little nosy now but I’ll read on. Whohoo!! We do like it old school 🎉👏🏽 I like how you started to get sweet and bubbly in this bit, changing the tone and progressing the story. This bit was such a joy to read. •– I wasn’t expecting him to do that, I am definitely going to click on those links and subscribe. I hope you’re alright♥️🤗
Ah so those 2 poems were about him! Such a douchebag! And that person who wanted to throw you off the balcony, they have a special place in hell, I've already spoken to Satan about that. I hope things will get better for you in 2025. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️ Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I have to admit, I was a little nervous reading through this after the balcony mention. After finishing it, I get a good sense of the author behind the words. Life can get complicated with no warnings. Your resilience and motivation are commendable. Best of luck to you in 2025!
I'm sorry you've been through so much. You are a great writer!
At first I thought I was reading fiction, then checked the community and went holy F$&k what a year. You wrote this so wonderfully, by grabbing my attention and holding into it. Normally I need to read two or three stories from people before I subscribe to them but…..you have a new subscriber on one read. Congratulations on top story
BOOM - well done, congrats back to say congrats, Top Story congrats. In some semblance of sense. lol. Nice to share the spot with you!
Ohh, your journey so far has been such a rollercoaster, but what stands out is your resilience and determination to keep moving forward, despite all the twists and turns. It's raw, real, and full of moments that a lot of people can relate to—heartbreak, loss, and the slow healing process. What I love about your story is the humor and candidness you’ve kept, even through the tough stuff. Your refusal to let the past define you and your decision to keep going, despite the setbacks, is so inspiring. You've truly learned to put yourself first, and that’s a powerful shift. ✨ Keep living your best life, indeed—it's definitely your life to live, no one else’s!🤗❤️
Jess! What a year, indeed. Sorry things went from bad to worse etc. Glad you're away from the toxicity of 2023, but sorry 2024 didn't shine so brightly either. You seem to be a resilient sort, though, which I am impressed by and admire. So good on you and yes, please live, eat cheese, drink whisky and write more haha. That last bit was selfish, you understand. Glad to read something from you and glad to see you are going to keep living, and not let the shitola bring you down!