To Mourn Our Loss of Self

Steerless and without direction, adrift on an open, black sea in the darkness of night.
Surrendered to the currents of life and swept away, losing oneself, no longer connected to the compass within.

Though grand and adventurous this analogy may seem, in reality, this feeling of disconnection is far from exciting. Quite the opposite, actually.
Rusted shut and paralyzed, unable to recognize oneself. Drained of energy, sitting motionless and staring, lost in a mind that no longer has a grip on life.

This work depicts a dark period in my life—one in which I struggled with expectations and the pressure we impose on ourselves. Pressure we feel because our world and society feel entitled to dictate how we should live and be. As if there is a right way to exist, and a wrong one. This leads to life becoming a masquerade until we no longer know who we really are—lost behind the mask of obligation.

Many lessons still needed to be learned.

Going with the flow doesn’t mean letting life take control of your ship’s rudder. Because when you do, you only become what the world demands of you, inevitably losing yourself in the process. Instead, it means steering toward your goal with dedication, using your inner compass as a guide, while following the natural flow and currents of life. Live in the now—don’t worry about things beyond your control. Don’t fight against those currents, but accept what comes your way. Yet, stay true to yourself, to your compass, and in any situation, act from the heart. Live life true to yourself, and much of the pressure and strain will dissipate. Be yourself, without compromise.