New York, Mia

The dirty clothes basket in the corner of my room had become a looming mountain of unwashed laundry, a testament to my recent lack of energy. It had been weeks since I’d tackled this chore, and it was high time to sort through the chaos of fabrics. My growing belly, a testament to the new life blossoming within me, had been sapping my energy, and I could no longer ignore the laundry’s persistent existence.

With a sense of determination, I began the arduous task. I sorted all the clothes into two piles, separating the light and dark colors. The soft hum of the washing machine filled the...