When I look at social media, I see the same classroom dynamics playing out every day, just on a much bigger stage. The confident voices, the quiet observers, the ones held back by fear, and the ones overwhelmed by it all. Social media was meant to connect us, yet somehow it often leaves us feeling more alienated than ever.

I kept wondering what my purpose was supposed to be, convinced it was the missing piece to a life well lived. It followed me everywhere, even when I tried to ignore it. This is the story of what I learned when I finally looked closer.

Writing, for me, is how I make sense of myself. It’s how I pull a thought out of my head and onto the page so it doesn’t just float around in there.