Trapped In The Margins

Silence.

I am sitting in an empty room surrounded by chairs and tables. There is no one here to witness my insanity. I danced around this room to loud music. I skipped around tables and jumped around chairs. It was exhilarating to act childish in public but to an empty audience. It was liberating.

More silence.

Now, I’m thinking about how foolish I must have looked to passersby. The image of me standing at a window belting Charlie Puth lyrics at an annoyingly loud volume will become a fond memory. This empty dining room has been my refuge many times during my time in college. Yet, I’ve never been brave enough to dance around the room while it’s been empty. Where has this bravery come from?

One person strolled into this room, only to walk out when he saw me.

Silence, once more.

I am sitting here with more work than ever before and yet I feel calm. The confidence in my abilities, a newfound bravado, and an attitude to match have become part of this new identity. There’s nowhere to hide now that I have let people see me. I just didn’t realize how long people have known the real me. My identity crisis has been resolved.

Here’s to a new chapter.