Breathe

a collection of essays and poems

A modern and bittersweet exploration of love, heartbreak, self-discovery and what it’s like to rebuild during times of constant change.

a life shared through stories and poems

A book titled "Breathe: a collection of essays and poems" by Rachel Richardson on a wooden table, next to a laptop with a black keyboard and a cup of coffee with frothy milk and latte art. Green leaves are partially visible at the top edge.

“Sometimes being alone tastes like salt.

The sweet kind that combines in a tangy pool on your tongue after you take a long stretch of saltwater taffy between your teeth and smile thinking about how it was a good choice. You walk briskly along the boardwalk on a Sunday afternoon, wearing your favorite dress, a pair of sneakers and not really caring what you look like, who you meet, or how many calories are in that taffy. You smile and look out onto the ocean and listen to the waves without having to translate what you’re thinking about to another soul.” — excerpt from Breathe

excerpt from Breathe

“Trying to picture love starts to feel like trying to picture a cloud, mist in the shower, something that is gauzy, transparent, that blows away easily. Love feels numb, sits in your chest like a mistake.”

Aerial view of a beach with white sand, turquoise water, and gentle waves.

excerpt from Breathe

“I would gladly swipe the pieces of this superficial game of life off the table and take you, sweat and sinew and muscle and all to a different playing field altogether.”

Get your copy

“We both wanted to twist into each other like vines hanging onto a rooted, ancient tree. But we wanted to devour. Our hunger got in the way.”

— excerpt from Breathe

A slice of chocolate cake topped with almonds and chopped nuts, placed on a white plate on a table. An open book with blurred purple flowers in the foreground and background.

Stories that tap into the joy, struggle and growth we all experience in life.
"You don’t read my mind, but you lay down the tracks for new trains of thought."

excerpt from Breathe
"But what I’m learning is that with change comes so much work. With growth comes so many growing pains."

excerpt from Breathe
"In time, you’ll emerge clean, staring at your own bright eyes and dripping reflection in the mirror, saying 'This is me. I thought I was weak, but I was able to carry this pain.'"

excerpt from Breathe

Breathe

A modern and bittersweet exploration of love, heartbreak, self-discovery and what it’s like to rebuild during times of constant change.

“Sometimes being alone tastes like salt.

“Trying to picture love starts to feel like trying to picture a cloud, mist in the shower, something that is gauzy, transparent, that blows away easily. Love feels numb, sits in your chest like a mistake.”

“I would gladly swipe the pieces of this superficial game of life off the table and take you, sweat and sinew and muscle and all to a different playing field altogether.”

“We both wanted to twist into each other like vines hanging onto a rooted, ancient tree. But we wanted to devour. Our hunger got in the way.”

Stories that tap into the joy, struggle and growth we all experience in life.

"You don’t read my mind, but you lay down the tracks for new trains of thought."

"But what I’m learning is that with change comes so much work. With growth comes so many growing pains."

"In time, you’ll emerge clean, staring at your own bright eyes and dripping reflection in the mirror, saying 'This is me. I thought I was weak, but I was able to carry this pain.'"