If I had no barriers, I would love. 

The kind of love poets write about, words stringed together in confessions and declarations that are not bound by fear and uncertainty. I would whisper secrets under the stars, my voice soft yet unwavering, as if the universe itself conspired to echo my truths.

I would love fiercely, harshly, with the kind of passion that makes artists pick up their brushes scribble and doodle and draw and paint. Love so raw and vicious—leaving precise yet effortless strokes Picasso’s brush could only dream of capturing.

 In this boundless love, I would embrace vulnerability, letting my walls crumble like ancient ruins—the walls of Jericho—revealing tenderness laid bare. I would freely declare and share “I love you's” with no expectations of reciprocation and pleas of  “Say it back, please.” 

If I had no barriers, I would love without hesitation, diving and allowing myself to drown in the depths of connection. Free falls and tell-it-alls, with no questions asked. I would find solace in sharing myself with the world, parts of me broken into pieces, each fragment a testament to a love declared to be whole.

I would love the mundane, finding beauty in the ordinary moments that often go unnoticed. The quiet hum of the refrigerator, the aroma of kelewele beckoning from beyond darkness and the crumple of the paper it’s wrapped in, the gap-toothed smile of a stranger on the bus - all would be worthy of adoration. I would see the sacred in the secular, the divine in the everyday, recognizing that love is not just a grand gesture, but a collection of small, intentional acts of appreciation.

I am no saint but I would love my enemies, extending forgiveness to those I believe wronged me, recognizing that holding onto resentment only harms myself. I would practice empathy, putting myself in their shoes—be it high heels or chale-wotes—and trying to see the world from their perspective. I would understand that forgiveness is not condoning their behavior, but freeing myself from its grip.

If I had no barriers, I would love myself. I would be intentional and unapologetic, embracing my imperfections and celebrating my strengths. I would silence the inner critic that whispers doubts and insecurities replacing it with a chorus of affirmations and self-compassion. I would be kinder to the scars nature left me with, I’d be less bothered by my occasional pimple and my shrimp-inspired posture when no one’s looking. I would understand that I am worthy of love, just as I am, and that my happiness is not contingent on the approval of others behind screens.

I would love the unknown, embracing uncertainty and trusting that life will unfold in its own perfect way. I would relinquish control, surrendering to the flow of the universe and allowing myself to be guided by intuition and inspiration. I would embrace change, recognizing that it is a constant and inevitable part of life. I would understand that love is not about clinging to the familiar, but about embracing the possibilities that lie ahead.

And in the face of heartbreak, I would still choose to love. I would allow myself to grieve, to feel the pain of loss, but I would not let it define me. I would learn from my mistakes, growing stronger and wiser with each experience. I would remember that love is not always easy, but it is always worth it. I would understand that even in the midst of darkness, there is always light to be found.

Because if I had no barriers, I would love the world as it is. I would understand that the real surprises lie not just in the destinations reached, but in the moments lived, the connections forged, and the courage found in the face of uncertainty. I would love, and I would do it endlessly.