The Butterfly's Emergence

The isolation of maturity is a surprise to everyone. You may have heard numerous adults express this sentiment, but I'm not sure we've found the words that do justice to how we feel. It's a period when we're often confronted with new problems and obligations that can feel overwhelming, and when we're often forced to leave behind the structure and support of our childhood and teenage years, which I felt I did six years way too early. Even though I have a relatively light load compared to others, juggling my work career with the need to keep breathing every day is still too much.

It's true that your worst opponent is you; at least, that's how it is for me. The only person who puts greater stress on me is myself. Having a fulfilling professional life, a lively social life, a solid social circle, and a clear sense of direction in life is a common ideal. However, in practise, it is not always simple to accomplish these goals, and it can be discouraging when we fall short.

For someone who has spent the majority of her life alone, but now finds herself involuntarily isolated, this irony is not lost on her. The exposure and development it provides are invaluable, to be sure, but at this point, I wonder what else I could possibly want or need.