how to stay afloat: the art of drowning is a heartbreaking, raw collection of poetry that encapsulates life from the rubble to the garden. Each poem is rooted in lived experiences, pulling at the heartstrings and leaving the reader with both ache and understanding. These poems tell stories from all corners of life and do not hold back from showing how truly ugly and heavy the darkest moments can be. At the same time, they offer glimpses of hope, small sparks that shine through even the hardest struggles. The paradox of staying afloat while drowning becomes a reminder of the trials we face and the ways we are forced to fight in order to survive. The collection is divided into four sections, guiding the reader through different waters of life. Rivers, Oceans, Lakes, and Puddles for you give insight into the heart and the depths of falling in love. Floods begin the drowning, carrying the ache of loss and grief. Sinking reveals the weight of pain in its most vulnerable and unflinching form. Finally, Swimming brings a shift-resilience, grit, and the reclaiming of a voice after struggle. Together, they form a journey of breaking, surviving, and rising again. It embodies the spirit of life that no matter how immense the struggle, there is always beauty in life.