Waking Up with Her - By Georgia Jansen van Vuuren

Written By: Georgia Jansen van Vuuren

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Georgia Jansen van Vuuren presents a captivating piece titled "Waking Up with Her" in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Through her evocative poetry, Georgia explores themes of love, transformation, and self-discovery. Her work delves into the profound impact of a relationship that redefines one's understanding of the future and personal growth.

About the Work

"Waking Up with Her" by Georgia Jansen van Vuuren is a poignant reflection on how love can inspire profound personal change. The poem's introspective tone invites readers to consider the difference between mere survival and genuine growth. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt expression, Georgia illustrates how a meaningful connection can catalyze a deeper understanding of oneself and the courage to pursue a more authentic life.

waking up with her

Original Submission by Georgia Jansen van Vuuren

Waking up with Her

I didn’t believe in futures.

I believed in next weekends,

in surviving nights,

in waking up without regrets and calling that growth.

Then I met her.

And suddenly the word tomorrow stopped sounding like a threat

and started sounding like a promise

I didn’t know I was allowed to make.

She didn’t save me.

That’s important.

She didn’t come with a cape or a plan.

She just stood there,

being herself,

and somehow that was enough to expose every version of me

I had been hiding behind.

Loving her didn’t feel loud.

It felt clarifying.

Like someone wiped a foggy mirror

and I finally saw my own face

without flinching.

She made me want to be better

not in a “fix yourself” way,

but in a “you’re capable of more than you’ve been settling for” way.

There’s a difference.

One shames you.

The other calls you forward.

With her, I started asking different questions.

Not “What can I get away with?”

but “What kind of person do I want to be

when no one’s watching?”

She demanded growth.

She also inspired it.

And that scared me more than loneliness ever did.

Because yearning isn’t just missing someone

it’s realizing they unlocked a version of you

you can’t un meet.

A version that now refuses to shrink back

into old habits and half dreams.

Loving her rewired me.

I move slower now.

More intentional.

Like my heart learned that recklessness

isn’t the same as freedom.

She made me want a future

that includes discipline,

healing,

and showing up even when it’s inconvenient.

Not because I owe her

but because loving her taught me

I owe myself more.

And yeah, there’s longing in this.

Because once you know how deeply you can feel,

everything shallow tastes like a lie.

Meeting her didn’t just change how I love

it changed how I see myself in the story.

I’m no longer the girl passing time.

I’m someone capable of building something real.

And that realization?

That’s the most dangerous kind of love there is.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform that celebrates the art of writing. This international competition welcomes poets and writers from around the world to share their unique voices and stories. Participants explore diverse themes, showcasing their creativity and literary talent on a global stage.

We extend our gratitude to Georgia Jansen van Vuuren for her powerful contribution, "Waking Up with Her," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her poem invites readers to reflect on the transformative power of love and self-discovery. We wish Georgia continued success in her poetic journey.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.