all essays.

a reflection on how culture shapes what we see as “normal.” from the left side of the road in london to familiar hills in israel, this piece explores the subtle ways travel shifts our perspective and how the world can feel both foreign and familiar at the same time.

medical debt can start in a moment, but follow you for years. this is about one hospital bill, how it shaped my life, and how the system punishes people trying to survive.

why do we hesitate, even when we’re ready to move forward? cost, trust, and fear of making the wrong choice can turn reasonable caution into hesitation that gets in the way.

Johnny Yukon doesn’t create noise, he builds atmosphere. In this first entry of spotlight on chatpastel, I explore the cinematic, quietly emotional world he’s shaped, from SoundCloud roots to immersive concept releases.

enjoyment gets questioned when it stops producing results. the pressure to monetize everything changes how people judge their time, hobbies, and rest, until even something done for enjoyment feels like it has to justify itself.

Jonathan Joss was more than the voice behind iconic roles. He was a symbol of representation and resilience. His death, believed by many to be a hate crime, was both tragic and preventable. This post reflects on his life, the events leading up to his death, and the systems that failed him.

a reflection on how unresolved pain can shape behavior, relationships, and the patterns we pass forward without excusing harm or losing sight of boundaries and change.

Friendship (2025) isn’t just a dark comedy about awkward attempts at connection. It reflects the messy and imperfect ways we try to belong. This blog explores Craig’s struggle to connect, the tension with his family, and Austin’s perspective. It’s about how loneliness, social missteps, and the desire for acceptance can resonate deeply with anyone who has felt on the outside.

as representation in media becomes more visible, some audiences react with discomfort, framing inclusion as “forced” or political. default standards shape what feels normal, making visibility feel disruptive to people who were once centered without question.

the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, and how jurisdiction, uneven media attention, and institutional response affect which cases receive attention and how they are handled.