The Notebook Under the Bed

Mia kept a small notebook under her bed, and she wrote in it every night before sleeping.

She did not write about happy things; instead, she wrote down one worry that had stayed in her mind all day.

Her teacher had told the class that worries grow bigger when people keep them inside.

At first, Mia thought this was strange, because writing about a problem did not make it disappear.

After two weeks, however, she noticed something surprising.

The worries on the page looked smaller than the ones in her head.

One evening, her best friend Leo asked why she was so quiet during lunch.

Mia showed him the notebook, and he decided to try the same idea.

They agreed to meet on Fridays and talk about one page each.

Speaking their worries aloud felt awkward at first, but it became easier with practice.

Now Mia understands that feelings need a safe place to go, whether that place is paper or a friend.