This feels as if I have been catapulted back in time, and the teacher utters the words: ‘We’ll do an introduction round. Tell us how old you are and your hobbies.’

Those words were enough to tighten every muscle I have and completely ignore what the other kids were saying (unless I wanted some inspiration). 

There’s nothing more confrontational than having to figure out who you are under pressure. Do I even have hobbies? Who am I? Am I getting too old, and is life just rushing past? Are other people more interesting than I am? I’ll stop myself there because I could keep going forever until I have to curl into a ball on the floor and cry.

But after sidetracking from the whole point of this paragraph, here it is: Hi, I’m Helena—28 years old and my hobbies are: dwelling on life, making up stories in my head to escape reality, and writing some of those down and posting them here!

“Don’t be afraid to feel. Let it all in, and I wish for you to come out the other side lighter.”